At the age of 17, way back in 1999 I received a speeding ticket in a city 200 miles away from my hometown. I ignored the ticket and when I got out of the Navy in 2001 I successfully renewed my license. Fast forward to 2005, I successfully changed my DL address online. Fast forward again, this time to February 2006, I attempted to renew my license and was told that I was unable to, and given a number to contact. After contacting that number I was told that I had an outstanding ticket from, you guessed it, 1999. I contacted the city and was told that the total fine was about 500$. I am a student and that was and still is a lot of money. I chose to ignore paying the fine figuring, ignorantly in hindsight, that all I would receive was a citation for driving with an expired license.
About 9 months later, I was pulled over, and upon a check of my license, was arrested for driving with a suspended license. At no time was i given any notice that my license was suspended. PS I live in TX
2007-02-01 08:58:02 · 4 answers · asked by CHARLES B 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Let ME EMPHASIZE....I was never at any point...through The Department of Public Safety...The Town I contacted about my fine...or through the mail...that my license was suspended. I would not be asking this question if I was arrested for a Failure To Appear but I wasn't.
2007-02-01 09:10:10 · update #1
darchange- paid the past due ticket, already went to jail (for 3 hours), and no offense but what are your credentials...?
2007-02-01 09:13:41 · update #2
You did the crime, now do the time.
2007-02-01 09:07:08 · answer #1 · answered by johN p. aka-Hey you. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Easy.. if your license was suspended YUP yer gonna be convicted.. clerical error on an agencies part does not absolve you from driving on a suspended license.. any state.. they all have a DL reciprocation dealy..
That you fooled or lied to them isnt thier problem its YOURS (as you are finding out) They can bring you up on other charges as well.. frauduantly filling out filling out an application, and Perjury for two that i can think off off the top of my head (didnt you read the fine print on the DL applications?)
Umm in short yer screwed... Its an easy win for the DA's office and they love that...
The $500 is less than the lawyer (who likely is NOT gonna beat this anyway) is gonna cost... Personally i'd pay the $500 and consider myself lucky at this point.. yer next traffic stop is likly gonna have you arrested and in jail for a FTA (and thats another charge.. sheesh)
But please come back ad tell us all about it what it cost you when it happens.. (umm lets see $1000+ for bail.. court costs $ the initial suspended license.. cost for getting a new license after its all over in court.. various interest and fines.. additional charges and fines.. lawyer fees.. Call me silly but $ 500 Vs about $5000? I'll take the $500 chuck)
2007-02-01 17:10:06 · answer #2 · answered by darchangel_3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you couldn't renew I think that was enough notice that your license was suspended (failure to renew). But being Texas, Im suprised they dont give you the death penalty for that.
I guess the lesson is, pay the fine or do the time.
2007-02-01 17:02:23 · answer #3 · answered by a 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes you can...you should have paid your fine..and you knowingly drove with a suspended licence....but ...a good lawyer knowledgeable in traffic stuff might get you off...
2007-02-01 17:03:44 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Smoothie, aka Mr. SmartAss 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋