DUS 1st offense.

[nikkib150]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? North Dakota

I got a DUS and I had no idea that my license was even suspended. I got brought to jail, and was booked, bu I never had my miranda rights read to me. I go to court in a couple weeks and I don't know what to do. I called the DMV and was told I had unpaid speeding ticket from 2 years ago and the state suspended my license because of it. What do I do when I get to Court?

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by nikkib150

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? North Dakota

I got a DUS and I had no idea that my license was even suspended. I got brought to jail, and was booked, bu I never had my miranda rights read to me. I go to court in a couple weeks and I don't know what to do. I called the DMV and was told I had unpaid speeding ticket from 2 years ago and the state suspended my license because of it. What do I do when I get to Court?

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.

Do not bring small children or your friends.

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

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Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

[nikkib150]

North Dakota

I called the DMV and my license was suspended because of a speeding ticket I neglected to alomost 2 years. Am I gonna have my license taken from me? Will I go to jail?

[gawm]

Go down to the court and pay the speeding ticket from 2 years ago. Then go to the DMV show them you paid the ticket and get your license reinstated. It will be a lot better for you if you have your license back when you go to court on the DUS. They might reduce the charge and/or fine.

[sukharev]

Originally Posted by gawm

Go down to the court and pay the speeding ticket from 2 years ago. Then go to the DMV show them you paid the ticket and get your license reinstated. It will be a lot better for you if you have your license back when you go to court on the DUS. They might reduce the charge and/or fine.

Copy that, I had a similar issue 10 years ago, worked the same way. Unlike parking tickets, they typically don't escalate the fines for not paying. All you need to do is send a check, then letter to court and DMV, and ask for lifting the suspension.