What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Florida
I received a speeding traffic ticket in Florida on April 12. I had sent in a response a week after receiving the ticket asking for an affidavit of defense since i wasn't able to appear in court since i live far away from the place. I received my affidavit of defense from the clerk of court's office on May 13th. There was no date on this letter as to when i had to return it by, so i figured 30 days was accpectable. I had to move back from school and it took me a little while to get settled in back at home, but i ended up mailing it back and they received it on June 9th. I got a letter back from them saying that the affidavit of defense was sent in too late, and that i had to pay an extra $16 deliquent fee, and that my license was in process for suspension if i didn't pay this soon. I called the office and argued that they gave me no date as to when this had to be in by, and they said it had to be in by May 25th, a date that i was never given any notice of. They said that i had 30 days from the day of my ticket and i was granted an extension till may 25. I never asked for an extension and they never informed me in writing of any of these dates. It says on the ticket that i have 30 days to make a response, and i made a response to them within that time frame saying that i was pleading not guilty and wanted the affidavit of defense. I dont' think this is my fault cause they never gave me any dates and i don't know how i can argue to them this. The lady on the phone said that if they didn't give me a date that it was my responsibility to call them and ask them for one, which i think is ridicilous. Does anyone have any suggestions on waht i can do about this matter? How can i get it through to them that i was never given any dates and what can i do legally if they do not budge?
Regards,
Mark
I received a speeding traffic ticket in Florida on April 12. I had sent in a response a week after receiving the ticket asking for an affidavit of defense since i wasn't able to appear in court since i live far away from the place. I received my affidavit of defense from the clerk of court's office on May 13th. There was no date on this letter as to when i had to return it by, so i figured 30 days was accpectable. I had to move back from school and it took me a little while to get settled in back at home, but i ended up mailing it back and they received it on June 9th. I got a letter back from them saying that the affidavit of defense was sent in too late, and that i had to pay an extra $16 deliquent fee, and that my license was in process for suspension if i didn't pay this soon. I called the office and argued that they gave me no date as to when this had to be in by, and they said it had to be in by May 25th, a date that i was never given any notice of. They said that i had 30 days from the day of my ticket and i was granted an extension till may 25. I never asked for an extension and they never informed me in writing of any of these dates. It says on the ticket that i have 30 days to make a response, and i made a response to them within that time frame saying that i was pleading not guilty and wanted the affidavit of defense. I dont' think this is my fault cause they never gave me any dates and i don't know how i can argue to them this. The lady on the phone said that if they didn't give me a date that it was my responsibility to call them and ask them for one, which i think is ridicilous. Does anyone have any suggestions on waht i can do about this matter? How can i get it through to them that i was never given any dates and what can i do legally if they do not budge?
Regards,
Mark