What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? OHIO
I received a traffic violation last month, December 13th.
I was scheduled for traffic court on Dec. 23 at 5.15 pm.
I was fully prepared to attend my court date and pay my ticket, and I called the office prior just to make sure everything was scheduled as planned (it seemed odd to hold court on the day before christmas-eve, so I called).
I was told (angrily) that there would not be any court dates that night, and that my only option was to pay for the ticket, so I hung up and didn't think much of it.
A month later (today) I receive a phone call from the mayor's court, that I must pay my ticket in full ($138.00) by Monday (Jan. 25) or my license would be confiscated. I explained to the clerk of courts that I was told I wouldn't even have an opportunity to represent myself in court, and I was told my only option was to pay it. She thinks i'm lying about calling, however I have the call in my history to the EXACT number of the mayor's court, and the conversation was 2 minutes long.
To sum it up, I was pretty much denied a court date, and now they're holding a gun to my head telling me I MUST pay this ticket or else I get a suspension. I have the call on my phone like I said, does anybody know if the court has those records? (caller I.D. would be sufficient). Can I go to the clerk of courts and explain my situation? The woman on the phone was telling me I'm pretty much screwed and that my only option is to pay the ticket and that it's my own fault.
Wondering what my options are. Should I bother with a lawyer? Should I consult one at least? Do I have some sort of a case here?
I received a traffic violation last month, December 13th.
I was scheduled for traffic court on Dec. 23 at 5.15 pm.
I was fully prepared to attend my court date and pay my ticket, and I called the office prior just to make sure everything was scheduled as planned (it seemed odd to hold court on the day before christmas-eve, so I called).
I was told (angrily) that there would not be any court dates that night, and that my only option was to pay for the ticket, so I hung up and didn't think much of it.
A month later (today) I receive a phone call from the mayor's court, that I must pay my ticket in full ($138.00) by Monday (Jan. 25) or my license would be confiscated. I explained to the clerk of courts that I was told I wouldn't even have an opportunity to represent myself in court, and I was told my only option was to pay it. She thinks i'm lying about calling, however I have the call in my history to the EXACT number of the mayor's court, and the conversation was 2 minutes long.
To sum it up, I was pretty much denied a court date, and now they're holding a gun to my head telling me I MUST pay this ticket or else I get a suspension. I have the call on my phone like I said, does anybody know if the court has those records? (caller I.D. would be sufficient). Can I go to the clerk of courts and explain my situation? The woman on the phone was telling me I'm pretty much screwed and that my only option is to pay the ticket and that it's my own fault.
Wondering what my options are. Should I bother with a lawyer? Should I consult one at least? Do I have some sort of a case here?