Okay here is the question ...
My son has an outstanding speeding ticket that I was not aware of until he came home from college today. Tomorrow morning is his court date.
(It is an IL speeding ticket and as I have been told that he was going 25 miles over the speed limit ... ouch ... was all I could say.)
He is intending on paying for the ticket if he has to, however he has been told that he can go to court and talk to the judge about removing it from his record. (College students seem to think they can conquer and change the way it works ... and he has been asking all of his buds what to do.)
If he can't pay the ticket tomorrow ... what happens? As I understand that he will be required to pay for the ticket to get his license back, which makes complete sense (to me but not to a 21 year old), however he thinks he can make arrangements to have it paid for and get the license back.
Does anyone know the extended penalties for non payment? Bench Warrant issues?
2007-05-03 12:00:37 · 8 answers · asked by Cyndy 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Failure to appear in court will result in a bench warrant for his arrest being issued as well as the suspension of his DL in most states. Most traffic courts will allow for a payment schedule, but if your state allows it, he will want to go to school (provided he's eligible) to keep the citation off of his insurance record. Insurance is the real $$$ ouch. Good luck
2007-05-03 12:08:25 · answer #1 · answered by chuck_junior 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have him go to court. The worse thing you can do is blow off the court date. Sometimes this will result in an automatic DL suspension, and he will have to come in at a later date to take care of that.
Then if he is caught driving after suspension, his vehicle gets towed, another ticket is issued, and another court date. If he misses that, then a warrant is issued for his arrest.
Go to court. In most cases, in Minnesota any ways, the city attorney is so inundated with a packed court docket, that a deal is made on the spot. The city attorney will approach me and say something like, "How about if he pays half the fine, and then no same or similar traffic offenses for a year?" Being a Police Officer I usually go ahead with the deal. I get paid for showing up to court (automatic 4 hours), the city attorney just shortened her case load, the Judge makes his tee time at the golf course, and Johnny gets off with half the fine, and nothing on his insurance, with the condition he gets no more tickets for a year.
I don't know how it works in your state, but it is probably similar.
Oh, here's the good news, if the cop fails to show up for court or is very late (happens more than you think), the traffic offender usually gets charges dismissed, and the Officer gets a nasty gram sent to the station.
2007-05-03 13:26:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He should go to court. Most of the time the judge will reduce the fine, reduce the points, or something else to help out a little. I know in Colorado if you go 22 mph over the speed limit it's considered a felony...and that's a whole different can of worms. I'm sure that if the ticket is a very large fine, they won't make him pay it all in one payment...but it's very possible that they'll take away his license...or at least take it away until he can finish paying the fine. Good luck - make sure he goes to court.
2007-05-03 12:11:50 · answer #3 · answered by Helen Scott 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My son in ND had a similar situation, it wasn't a speeding ticket but reckless driving. If I remember right he was given a certain amount of time to pay the fine and if he didn't by that time it would have been contempt of court.
2007-05-03 12:07:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said he thinks he can get the judge to remove the ticket from his record. That is false. He may be able to avoid 'points' on his license, but the ticket will show.
2007-05-03 13:58:57 · answer #5 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The judge will usually give 20-30 days for payment from the court date where the decision is made.
2007-05-03 12:06:33 · answer #6 · answered by Leilani 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
first he needs to show up, funny as it sounds about 1/3 of the officers don't show up to tesify in court and you can merely ask for it to be dismissed.
and if you can't pay, you explain that to the clerk and they will work out a payment plan,
The main thing is just to show up.
2007-05-03 13:58:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on his driving record, he may be given options. Warrants are only issued if the crime is punishable by incarceration. Normally payment options are available, but failure to comply, could result in a guilty finding, and a possible suspension.
2007-05-03 12:18:08 · answer #8 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋