expired registration....traffic crime?!?

[lousyluck]

Hawaii

Hello,

Ok, I was involved in a minor traffic accident and the other driver called the police to get a police report. My car registration was expired so the officer issued me a citation. I was rather depressed about the situation because some bad things had just happend (identity theft) so, let it sit on my desk and tried not to think about it. I called the Traffic Violations office and they told me that I would have to pay a penalty if I didn't pay it on time. The ticket was marked "infraction" and not "traffic crime".

8 months later

Finally, I'm trying to get things back in order, so I go to pay my late ticket. I am told that a bench warrant was put out because I did not show up for court. I posted bail and am due in court in a few days. Now they are telling me that because I was involved in an accident, not paying my ticket on time becomes a traffic crime. (this was never explained to me)

my question is how severe is the punishment for this situation? The ticket was for $80. I paid $50 for the bail.

any info or insight would be greatly appreciated! thankyou.

[seniorjudge]

What is the statute number on your charging papers?

Yes, you turned an insignificant fine into a major deal by ignoring it.

I doubt that the prosecutor will want to deal with you since you have shown you have no intention of co-operating.


Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat.

Bathe and wash your hair.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and the ticket not go on your record, if applicable.


Here are five stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job in [name a state five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this.

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.”)

[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687[/url]

Public defender’s advice

[url]http://newyork.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/70300494.html[/url]


Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

[lousyluck]

on the papers i recieved, it says i am in violation of

code 249.2

I admit to being wrong and am sorry for having to waste the courts time for this.

Should I seek a lawyer or should I just face the music and get what I deserve?