I have three 5yr old traffic tickets, what should I do to clear them up?

Question

I was stopped for driving around a trolley when I shouldn't have. I was also driving with a suspended license (I didn't know about that) and without car insurance. I now need to get a car to go to school and work. Should I plead guilty or not guilty? What is the best way for me to finally resolve this and put this behind me? I don't want to pay an attorney if I can handle this myself. Thanks in advance.

This happened in Philadelphia, PA

Answer 1

It would be hard to argue the facts. You voilated the traffic law, your license was suspended, and no insurance. Also, you have done something to get your license suspended. It shows the court, you are careless, unconcerned, and not able to abide by the law. "I didn't know" won't fly under this circumstances. On top of it, you didn't care about the traffic ticket for 5 years. You only care about it now because it is inconvenient for you.

I don't know what more the court need to have to revoke your license.

If you plead guilty, you will be throwing yourself to the mercy of the court for something they have ample evidence of you being unfit to continue to drive.

My advise to you is to consult with a lawyer. You don't have to have him on contract. Pay him by the hour and consult with him on the best action.

Answer 2

Depending on the state, if you have not made a plea on the tickets they should be an Alias warrant. You can make arrangments with the court to make payments, but you have to go in and take the risk of being arrested. I would try over the phone first with the court clerk and drop your payments off in the night drop window after hours.

If you have already been to court it will be a Capias warrant and you would have to pay that in full or sit it out in jail.

Good luck...