I received a traffic ticket last night and it's my first. So i'm unsure on something. Do i need to goto court? says i do, BUT will they let just pay the fine and not appear in court?
2007-02-15 19:17:11 · 8 answers · asked by travelimits 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
You do not need to attend your court date unless you want to contest the charge. If you do not want to bother and just want to pay the fee, there should be mailing instructions for the money. If you make sure it GETS THERE (not postmarked) by the time and date you are set to appear, you are fine. Also, make sure you get either a check or a money order (most grocery stores or banks can issue them) as they will not take cash or credit card.
Be sure to photocopy everything in case it comes up later. No sense paying a higher fee because of a mail clerk screwup.
Good luck.
2007-02-15 19:23:39 · answer #1 · answered by phoenixbard2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh your about to experiance the great American judicial system. Just pay the money, no court, that's it. No money, go to court get fined the same amount, or less of you have a good story, but you will lose a good half days pay and maybe your job unless the boss was informed your going to court. Maybe you had no insurance because your poor, even though you need a car to get to work, you can't drive and if you do,the Courts will fine you and you will have to spend your rent money on the fine and lose your home and be on the street with your kids that you were trying to support. It sucks but it's still the best system in the world! So sad but true. We need a bit of help we do. P.S. Get a receipt!!! The Courts are notorious for not filing the fact that you paid the ticket and they issue warrants saying you never appeared or never paid! And you won't know it till the next time you are stopped and they will haul you to jail! And in Court the Judge will say "We have no record of this" However it will be you that is out of a job since you got thrown in jail and out of luck. Get a receipt!
2007-02-16 03:25:02 · answer #2 · answered by Faerie loue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can just go down and pay the fine if you're not going to contest the ticket. They would appreciate your promptness, to say the least.
However, if you feel you were in the right, or if there is an explanation of 'why' you were doing what you did...then you can wait for a court date, and then 'plead guilty with explanation' and the judge will listen to what you have to say. If the police officer is also there, he will then tell the judge his side of the issue. The judge will take ALL things into consideration. He may let you off, or he may not...or he could reduce the fine. Since you did not say why you received the ticket, I can't really give you any more clues. So, it's sort of up to you. If you just want to pay it and get it over-with, you can ask the clerk you're paying 'how many points is this on my driving record?"..and she/he will gladly give you the information.
Good luck
2007-02-16 03:25:42 · answer #3 · answered by chole_24 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Things may be different state to state but This ifo will help alot. You can go to the finance part of the police station and ask how much it is and if all you want to do is pay you are admitting that you are guilty. You can pay and be on you way without appearing in court. Or you can play your chances and if the cop doesn't show in court you get off scoot free because there isn't a official witness. Or if you are in school let them know and ask if you can write a essay, my wife has done that alot and it has worked everytime. Next some places offer a deffensive driving class that is long. It last from morning till late evening which I went to. They will then put you on probation for a year but it won't go on your record. Last but not least this also happen to me I paid a ticket and it did't go on my record. Maybe I just got lucky. All these answers pertains to you IF this is your first and nothing is on your driving record. Good Luck my friend!
2007-02-16 03:26:48 · answer #4 · answered by david r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just got my first ticket this past July. I was stopped for going 19 over the speed limit. I was given a court date at the time on the ticket but a fine was mailed to me. I was given the choice of paying the fine or going to court to plead my case. I couldn't afford a lawyer so I just paid the ticket. I was guilty so I just paid it. If there is doubt go to court.
2007-02-16 03:43:33 · answer #5 · answered by slytherin_95 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no you don't have to appear in court. you can plead guilty and pay the fine, you can plead nolo-contendre, that is no contest, but is same as guilty because you have to pay the fine, or you can go to court and plead not guilty and then go to court a second time hoping the officer doesn't show and get automatic dismissal or be found guilty and pay the fine and court costs, if any, or you can explain your actions and hope the ticket is dismissed. if you want to plead innocent, you must go to court to get the trial date set. if youy plead guilty, it goes on your record, if you plead nolo it goes on your record same as a guilty plea. if you decide to plead innocent, be sure you are innocent and have witnesses, if there are any, in court for the trial.
somketimes you can get a dismissal if the officer fails to appear. if you fail to get it set fro trial, or you just ignore it all together, a warrant will be issued and you'll be arrested if caught again and they do a check on you.
2007-02-16 03:27:42 · answer #6 · answered by de bossy one 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have no argument, you can just pay the fine. You have to do it before the court date though, or you will get in trouble.
2007-02-16 03:19:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
if it says you do then you have to....some places make you go to court..and if you miss it..u are in trouble.....best yet...calll them to see if they can give you another option....
2007-02-16 03:31:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋