I was supposed to appear in traffic court, earlier today Mon. 7-16), as a witness to an auto accident. I honestly thought that it was supposed to be Wed., 7-18, I even wrote that down on my calendar. I just looked at the notice to verify the time, and realized that it was today's date. I really do feel bad for not appearing and was willing to go (on Wed.). I tried calling the phone # on the letter to ask, but was on hold for 25 min. Am I in trouble?
2007-07-16 08:42:56 · 8 answers · asked by dark_knight_1735 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
You are not in big trouble. You did not commit perjury, and you are unlikely to be charged with contempt for failing to appear.
We're talking traffic court here, and a witness (as compared to the defendant) to boot. However, you did gum up the works for the Court and for somebody and technically speaking there could be consequences. Get back on the phone and keep calling until you get through to why you missed the hearing. You never know, it may be the hearing was postponed or continued because of your absence.
It was an honest mistake, it happens all the time so don't be too hard on yourself. But get it explained today, even if you have to drive down to court this afternoon to do so - OK? Good luck to you.
2007-07-16 08:57:44 · answer #1 · answered by bajanlady 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not called perjury. Perjury is when you lie under oath. If you were subpeona to appear, you could be charged with Failing to Appear, call the Clerk of Courts right away. If your testimony was vital, they probably postponed the hearing until they find out what happened to you. If it was not vital they probably went ahead with the hearing anyway. Call, explain and see what happens.
2007-07-16 08:53:15 · answer #2 · answered by CRAIG C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Write a letter or keep calling the number on the notice. You may or may not be in trouble, depending on the sriousness of the traffic problem and what you may or may not have been able to add to the testimony.
2007-07-16 08:52:52 · answer #3 · answered by fangtaiyang 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
were you summons or did you Get a supeana? if yes you may have gotten a warrant bench. get ready to bail out as in money. call you police department. id use someones cell phone myself. find out the fee and then go down and let them make the arrest. bail out and tell the court what you told us.as if you have a war rent they will most likely not tell you. if none of the above don't worry. thanks also go to judical.com and look on the computer. you will know. its public record. thanks joann s
2007-07-16 20:03:13 · answer #4 · answered by Savanna 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can be found in comtempt of court by the judge. I'd write a letter explaining what happened.
EDIT....It's NOT perjury. That's when you lie under oath while giving testimony.
2007-07-16 08:47:56 · answer #5 · answered by LEO53 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you received a subpoena to appear, then you are legally required to do so and can face penalty for if you don't appear. However, if you were told or asked to appear, then you are not obligated to. They may try to scare you into believing otherwise, but it takes a subpoena for any penalties to result.
2007-07-16 09:31:56 · answer #6 · answered by The Maestro 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you may very well be unless you can show proof of a valid excuse (students can get postponements...) call them up and explain. Not showing up in court is very serious, and can be punished with a large fine or a jail sentence.
2007-07-16 08:48:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you received a supeona they you could be cited for contempt. However if it was a voluntary agreement on your part then you are just in violation of your personal ethics.
2007-07-16 08:49:34 · answer #8 · answered by professorc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋