What is the name of your state? FL
In the summer of 1993, I was down visiting my father in Florida (I did not live there, just visiting). I was 18 years old and admittedly, not too responsible. While there, my friend and I got into a minor traffic accident and of course the police were called to write up the incident. My friend was drinking and had me drive his car. I didn't want to drive (but did anyway) because my license was suspended due to a traffic related issue back home. So fearing that I would get into trouble for driving with a suspended license, I gave the officer a false name. Yeah yeah I know that was probably worse than just owning up to driving on a suspended license but that's history know. I was arrested for resisting arrest without violence (sounds absurd) but that's what they call it in FL.
I later went to court on the charge and plead guilty. They gave me a small fine and 1 year probation, which included community service. I did about 10 hours of it and then left Florida to return home out of state.
So fast forward to November 2007. I learned that I have a warrant out for me in Florida for violation of probation. I called various legal entities and heard everything from "well if you don’t live in FL then don't worry about it" (a Sheriff's Department staff member actually told me that LOL) to "just turn yourself in and go back to court on it" (well, that's not an option as I have a professional career, a family and can't just pick up and go to jail). The best advice I received though, was from a nice person at the Misdemeanor Courts offices. She instructed me to write a letter to the Judge and then gave me the complete contact information of the Judge's office including his fax number, etc.
So, I wrote a letter the other day stating what had happened. I included information about the incident and the fact that after I had left Florida, I went on to college and graduated 4 years later. That I'm now married and have lead a straight forward lifestyle since then. I also stated that I had not been in any kind of trouble with law enforcement in any State since the misdemeanor charge in 1993, other than a speeding ticket or two.
My question is this - after some 14 years and not being in any kind of trouble since then, will I have much of a problem? I'm hoping that they will have me just pay any existing fines, court costs, etc. Additionally, I am also wondering if I made the correct decision on asking for a Plea In Absentia? I was instructed to do it this way since I can't actually be there. I called the Judge’s office and they confirmed that they had received the letter and that it was to be heard next week.
Anyone in the know, please advice your thoughts. Thanks
In the summer of 1993, I was down visiting my father in Florida (I did not live there, just visiting). I was 18 years old and admittedly, not too responsible. While there, my friend and I got into a minor traffic accident and of course the police were called to write up the incident. My friend was drinking and had me drive his car. I didn't want to drive (but did anyway) because my license was suspended due to a traffic related issue back home. So fearing that I would get into trouble for driving with a suspended license, I gave the officer a false name. Yeah yeah I know that was probably worse than just owning up to driving on a suspended license but that's history know. I was arrested for resisting arrest without violence (sounds absurd) but that's what they call it in FL.
I later went to court on the charge and plead guilty. They gave me a small fine and 1 year probation, which included community service. I did about 10 hours of it and then left Florida to return home out of state.
So fast forward to November 2007. I learned that I have a warrant out for me in Florida for violation of probation. I called various legal entities and heard everything from "well if you don’t live in FL then don't worry about it" (a Sheriff's Department staff member actually told me that LOL) to "just turn yourself in and go back to court on it" (well, that's not an option as I have a professional career, a family and can't just pick up and go to jail). The best advice I received though, was from a nice person at the Misdemeanor Courts offices. She instructed me to write a letter to the Judge and then gave me the complete contact information of the Judge's office including his fax number, etc.
So, I wrote a letter the other day stating what had happened. I included information about the incident and the fact that after I had left Florida, I went on to college and graduated 4 years later. That I'm now married and have lead a straight forward lifestyle since then. I also stated that I had not been in any kind of trouble with law enforcement in any State since the misdemeanor charge in 1993, other than a speeding ticket or two.
My question is this - after some 14 years and not being in any kind of trouble since then, will I have much of a problem? I'm hoping that they will have me just pay any existing fines, court costs, etc. Additionally, I am also wondering if I made the correct decision on asking for a Plea In Absentia? I was instructed to do it this way since I can't actually be there. I called the Judge’s office and they confirmed that they had received the letter and that it was to be heard next week.
Anyone in the know, please advice your thoughts. Thanks
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