ticket in Ca Live in MT

[epster]

What is the name of your state? Montana

Four years ago I received a traffic ticket in California while driving through on vacation with my kids. I was going 76 MPH in a 75 MPH zone but the officer told me that many miles back a n airplane had clocked me at 80 or something. I may have speed up passing a big truck or something but I was not speeding during the trip as I had my cruse control set. The officer who issued me the ticket did not observe any speed violations. My kids all swore I had not been speeding. This was on a weekend and the courts were not open.

I ignored the ticket feeling it was unjust and I also had no money to go back to California to fight the ticket. I did get sent some information that if I attended traffic court in Ca the ticket would be dismissed. Again I did not have the money to go to Ca and attend traffic court. (single mom)

Fast forward to now. I need to renew My Montana Driver license and when I went in on my birthday to do so found my license suspended in Ca and the DMV told me I had to clear it up before I could get my license renewed. I am driving on an expired license and am worried about my insurance company finding out about it.

What recommendations can anyone give me concerning this situation? Is there a statute of limitations for traffic violations in Ca? I still have no money to pay any fines of fees - I have been unemployed for a while and am hanging on by a thread. Any advice would be appreciated.

[smblkc]

Originally Posted by epster

What recommendations can anyone give me concerning this situation? Is there a statute of limitations for traffic violations in Ca? I still have no money to pay any fines of fees - I have been unemployed for a while and am hanging on by a thread. Any advice would be appreciated.

Essentially, it sounds like you may have a bench warrant out for FTA (failure to appear), and they got around to using the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC). The NRVC typically allows one state to take action on behalf of another for things like your situation (simplified description). Your best bet? Call the Clerk of Courts in Ca (whichever jurisdiction sent you the info most likely) and see if they will accept a payout. This is about the best that you can do right now, in my opinion.

There usually is no statute of limitations on a warrant to my knowledge, and the bench warrant was probably issued very shortly after the court date that you were to attend.

[Zigner]

Where, in California, did you find a 75 mph area?

[fairisfair]

Originally Posted by Zigner

Where, in California, did you find a 75 mph area?

um, in his mind????

[url]http://www.iihs.org/laws/state_laws/speed_limit_laws.html[/url]

[CdwJava]

Speeding to pass a truck is allowed only if you do not exceed the limit or drive at an otherwise unsafe speed.

Your license suspension is not subject to the statute of limitations as it is an administrative matter and not criminal. That hold shall remain indefinitely until the matter has been cleared with the court.

The court action has already begun so the SOL won't apply. You failed to show for your court date so they suspended your license. It is also possible that a bench warrant was issued for your arrest as well.

You might consider hiring an attorney in CA to assist you. Yes, it will cost some money, but he might be able to get it all wrapped up with minimal appearances by you. Perhaps it can be done with zero or only one appearance. Failing to take care of it can result in a perpetual license suspension, and if a warrant has been issued a lot of other things can happen.

- Carl