2007-09-09 02:26:06 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
That depends, were you charged with anything other than speeding?
Was the box on the ticket marked stating that if you pay prior to court date you don't have to appear?
Do you want to dispute the ticket?
Were you charged with reckless driving? (going a certain amount over the limit turns into reckless driving and you HAVE to appear in court for that one)
If you were charged with anything else, then you have to appear. If the box is not checked, then you can not pay ahead of time and skip court (If you don't show then they can issue a warrant for you for failing to appear), and if you want to dispute the ticket you have to show.
Just because you are a minor doesn't mean you can get out of going to court like anyone else. I would suggest taking your parents with you to make sure you don't make a fool out of your self and end up in jail for contempt of court, or just have them their for moral support if you are not the "making a fool of oneself in public" kind of person. Either way, showing up for court is not a bad thing if all you have is a speeding ticket.
If you were charged with reckless, you have no choice you have to appear before the judge. and if you don't they WILL issue a warrant for you.
Either way, play it safe and go to court. It will be a good learning experience for you and hopefully you will drive more carefully in the future.
2007-09-09 02:37:54 · answer #1 · answered by sesamenc 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As the other said see if the box is checked that says you have to appear in court. But you should call the courthose even if it says you don't have to..... just in case. This is in most all (never heard different) places a monor must show in court with a parent. A monor can not be judged without the presence and knowlege of an adult. Nor can they sign a legal contract.
Inmany states there are different laws that apply to minors. So be advised that if you get another you could lose your license for quite some time even if there is no specific law. Secondly the insurance company could drop you (then you may become uninsurable w. anybody) or at the very least your parents insurance will go sky high.
If it a question of your parents finding out tell them. Things would go much better for sure that way rather than 2 months from now they find out that insurance has gone up $150 a month. A they may get more mad because something may have been done about it if they had known sooner.
And there is something you can do about it. I'm assuming it is your first one. Look into doing traffic school before court....... some are one day, some are 2 and others are online. The judge will problably order something like that anyway. Even if not it will take away the points which will matter with insurance. Plus your parents will think that you are taking responsibility for it and "hey, I'm mad but he/she has really taken an adult approach and thought this through".
Show up in court with the traffic certificate, clean cut, dressed decently and express that you realize the repercussions. You might actually get a better deal or even get it dropped.
2007-09-09 06:03:20 · answer #2 · answered by jackson 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you got a mandatory court appearance letter you need to appear at the date and time stated in the letter. It is common, upon conviction, for judges to suspended a person's license for up to 30 days for exceeding 100 MPH.
2016-04-03 22:32:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋