hieronymus
Junior Member
I am from California.
Several months ago I was issued a $300 dollar ticket for "Blocking An Intersection"
I was polite and did not argue. I just signed and said "Thank You Officer" In my mind
however, I planned to challenge the ticket. Apart from being behind the crosswalk, there was even another car behind me, IN the intersection.
I believe that my car which has just been bought 2 days prior, attracted the attention of the officer.
After asking owners of stores in the area, I was told that the officer stays there all day and issues tickets "non-stop"
The gas station that the officer hid in had even called the police station more than once complaining about the officer's behavior.
When the court date was drawing near, I was short on money, and realized that it would be the cop's word against mine. I could not afford to pay the $300 dollars. The clerk suggested that I extend, So I did.
Fast forward 2 months.
I forgot about the court date completely. I was on a business trip in the Philippines for a month +1 week. (My uncle gave me a job making movie props)
When I realized I was supposed to be in court, I called the clerks office, said I was out of country and asked what I should do. I was told that there was nothing I could do and I would have to come to the court house or to a police station once I got back. And that I would probably have an arrest warrant out on me.
I am now back, and I'm honestly very worried and unsure of what I should do next.
Because I have missed that extension date, the state has changed my fee to $800, which I certainly do not have. All of my money goes into keeping my house right now.
If I go to the clerks office, and say "Hello, I was out of town and missed a court date." Will they just reschedule me for a new court date??
I'm scared they will say "You must pay X amount of money now or you will be arrested."
Or that they will hold me and put me in court, where the judge will sentence me to something insane.
I had a court date, I didn't show up, I haven't payed my ticket. I want to fix it, but I don't have the money and I'm afraid I will be arrested.
I realized I messed up, I'm not trying to get out of anything. I just hoped there was a police officer, or a judge or lawyer out there who could help me understand this better so I don't do something even worse.
Can anyone tell me what route I should take??
Thanks for any advice.
Several months ago I was issued a $300 dollar ticket for "Blocking An Intersection"
I was polite and did not argue. I just signed and said "Thank You Officer" In my mind
however, I planned to challenge the ticket. Apart from being behind the crosswalk, there was even another car behind me, IN the intersection.
I believe that my car which has just been bought 2 days prior, attracted the attention of the officer.
After asking owners of stores in the area, I was told that the officer stays there all day and issues tickets "non-stop"
The gas station that the officer hid in had even called the police station more than once complaining about the officer's behavior.
When the court date was drawing near, I was short on money, and realized that it would be the cop's word against mine. I could not afford to pay the $300 dollars. The clerk suggested that I extend, So I did.
Fast forward 2 months.
I forgot about the court date completely. I was on a business trip in the Philippines for a month +1 week. (My uncle gave me a job making movie props)
When I realized I was supposed to be in court, I called the clerks office, said I was out of country and asked what I should do. I was told that there was nothing I could do and I would have to come to the court house or to a police station once I got back. And that I would probably have an arrest warrant out on me.
I am now back, and I'm honestly very worried and unsure of what I should do next.
Because I have missed that extension date, the state has changed my fee to $800, which I certainly do not have. All of my money goes into keeping my house right now.
If I go to the clerks office, and say "Hello, I was out of town and missed a court date." Will they just reschedule me for a new court date??
I'm scared they will say "You must pay X amount of money now or you will be arrested."
Or that they will hold me and put me in court, where the judge will sentence me to something insane.
I had a court date, I didn't show up, I haven't payed my ticket. I want to fix it, but I don't have the money and I'm afraid I will be arrested.
I realized I messed up, I'm not trying to get out of anything. I just hoped there was a police officer, or a judge or lawyer out there who could help me understand this better so I don't do something even worse.
Can anyone tell me what route I should take??
Thanks for any advice.
