Yes, It was a foolish thing to do.. trust me, I know! But it totally slipped my mind until today! Then it dawned on me that I had gotten a speeding ticket way back before I got out of school. I looked for my ticket, but it was no where to be found. So I looked online for Virginia traffic violations, and it turns out I've missed my court date and prepaid date. Yikes! It says I've been "Tried in Absentia." Could anyone explain what this means, what's gonna happen to me, and what my next step should be?
Thanks!
~Meredith
2007-06-24 13:08:08 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I live in Virginia, and yes, I go to school in Virginia.. just further south.
2007-06-24 20:16:33 · update #1
Hi, it means they did your court appearance without you, and you are now the proud owner of a fine and some points on your license. Call the court clerk on Monday and find out what the damage is, or they will send a notice to DMV and get your license suspended (even more money out the window!)
ps- See if VA will reduce the points by you attending a defensive driving school, here it's good to remove 2 points from your license, and your insurance company will give you a discount for taking it.
2007-06-24 13:12:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Guilty In Absentia Virginia
2016-10-17 02:17:40 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tried in Absentia means that you failed to appear for your scheduled trial and the court went ahead and proceeded (Tried) the case without you being present. I would imagine the officer, state attorney and any witness were present and they went ahead with the trial. It is unfortunate as you can not obviously defend yourself.
I would contact the clerk of the court and tell them you want to resolve this matter. You can probably request another trial or find out what the outcome was. It is important that you take care of it as it will only get worse in the long run.
All my best!
2007-06-24 13:14:51 · answer #3 · answered by flafuncop 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey you must have been doing 125 to keep up with me. Good job! I can't reach my license unless you hold my beer Aren't you the guy from the village people You're not gonna check the trunk are you? Do you know why you pulled me over? okay, just so one of us does I was trying to keep up with traffic. Yes, I know there are no other cars around. That's how far ahead of me they are Sorry, Officer. I didnt realize that my radar detector wasnt plugged in So, what's a good bribe go for around here? Okay, so I was speeding and I let you catch me - how about best of three?
2016-04-01 02:46:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Tried in Absentia" means that you were tried on the charge of speading even though your were not present. Most likely since you were not there you were found guilty.
So you need to find out how to pay the fines associated.
2007-06-24 13:15:33 · answer #5 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you were the "defendant" in the case it means you were tried without being present. It sounds like you would have to pay court costs and whatever the ticket was worth. If you felt like you didn't deserve the ticket go to your local traffic court and appeal it there.
2007-06-24 13:14:27 · answer #6 · answered by Jeffrey W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you live out of state - There's probably a warrant out for your arrest. You have been convicted in absentia for speeding. The bond will probably be the fine - pay the bond and that's it. You're not going to resolve this at the courthouse.
I would make arrangements to turn myself in and have a family member prepared to post the appropriate cash bail. You will be booked and probably spend a few hours at a local detention center. If you are pulled over in your home state, the warrant will appear when your license is processed and the police will arrest and extradite you to VA. You are probably going to have a criminal record when all is said in done - if you are wealthy, you could hire a lawyer and try to quash the VA warrant - that will cost you maybe $1,000 or thereabouts.
{EDIT} I know friends of mine who were arrested for excessive speeding and released on recognizance. They showed up for all their court dates and lost licenses for a number of months. The asker did not mention how fast she was speeding and perhaps she may not have been arrested BUT she failed to show up for court and she lives out of state and depending on the reciprocity agreement between VA and her state - her car's registration will not be renewed until the fine in VA is paid.
2007-06-24 13:13:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
It means that they tried you with out you being there, you were found guilty. Because you didn't show up. Example: Some times criminals skip out on their bail and don't show up for court and they tried them in Absentia, meaning they tried them with out them being there and they were found guilty and were even sentenced for the crime.
2007-06-24 13:16:36 · answer #8 · answered by Cindy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means they had the trial and you weren't there .. "in absentia" means you were absent.
You should contact the agency or authority that sent you the notice.
2007-06-24 13:10:28 · answer #9 · answered by pepper 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tried in absentia is "posh" for you were busted cos you weren't there. Pay up and try to smile.
2007-06-24 13:12:20 · answer #10 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋