What is the name of your state? South Carolina
I am in no way trying to excuse myself here, but I was stopped seemingly at random. The cop pulled me over, said that I was speeding (yet I have not been charged with that) and asked for my license. I gave him my license, he went back to his car and a few minutes later came back to my window and asked for my proof of insurance. I had just recently moved and my insurance had lapsed. I thought it would be better to be honest, so I told him this. He then proceeded to search through my belongings, handcuff me, impound my car, and take me to jail. All the while, he kept making comments like "if you behave, I'll leave the cuffs in the front" (I am a young female and was in no way acting out or anything). Btw, on the ticket, he also listed my car as being "green" and my car is very obviously blue.
Anyway, I was "booked" (I guess that's what they call it?) and put in a holding cell. I was there for several hours, until one of the jail secretaries "remembered" that I was there (no joke - she said they had forgotten about me) and took me downstairs to see the Magistrate Judge (?). The judge let me go on my own recognizance and told me to be back for court on June 21st, prepared to pay a $440 fine.
Well, I have been stressing over this situation forever and today, I am just a nervous wreck. I got a new insurance policy ASAP after being released, got my car out of the pound, etc. I don't have $440 at the moment and I don't know what to expect when I go to the court room this afternoon. I'm terrified that they're going to send me to jail for not being able to pay the fine.
Someone told me that you can request a payment plan. What are the chances of that happening? Any reassuring words would really be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I am in no way trying to excuse myself here, but I was stopped seemingly at random. The cop pulled me over, said that I was speeding (yet I have not been charged with that) and asked for my license. I gave him my license, he went back to his car and a few minutes later came back to my window and asked for my proof of insurance. I had just recently moved and my insurance had lapsed. I thought it would be better to be honest, so I told him this. He then proceeded to search through my belongings, handcuff me, impound my car, and take me to jail. All the while, he kept making comments like "if you behave, I'll leave the cuffs in the front" (I am a young female and was in no way acting out or anything). Btw, on the ticket, he also listed my car as being "green" and my car is very obviously blue.
Anyway, I was "booked" (I guess that's what they call it?) and put in a holding cell. I was there for several hours, until one of the jail secretaries "remembered" that I was there (no joke - she said they had forgotten about me) and took me downstairs to see the Magistrate Judge (?). The judge let me go on my own recognizance and told me to be back for court on June 21st, prepared to pay a $440 fine.
Well, I have been stressing over this situation forever and today, I am just a nervous wreck. I got a new insurance policy ASAP after being released, got my car out of the pound, etc. I don't have $440 at the moment and I don't know what to expect when I go to the court room this afternoon. I'm terrified that they're going to send me to jail for not being able to pay the fine.
Someone told me that you can request a payment plan. What are the chances of that happening? Any reassuring words would really be appreciated. Thanks in advance.