View Full Version : Couple traffic violation questions.
I have a couple questions about tickets i got mid march and I have court for them tomorrow.
the charges are driving under suspension
failure to register within 60 days
and displaying ficticious plates.
long story short missed getting a ticket fully paid. An oversight on my part so i did not have a valid license. could not get my new to me car to pass an E-test had to put a new cat in it and get the tranny rebuilt. I got the trans built first and did not have the all the money because work was super slow at the beginning of the year was barely making ends meet. so i left the previous owners plates on who is a friend. I got payed my first big check on that very friday. and was going to get everything taken care of that week.
I had the car out of impound by tuesday so 2 business days. In order to get it out of impound I had to be completely legit so registered valid license insurance etc.
Does anyone have a rough idea of the penalties I am looking at?
I fully expect to come out $700+ poorer but am really worried about losing my license for a year and jail time.
ChunkyMonkey
05-08-2011, 16:18
Jail time for suspended license? Not even a reckless driving or accident. Sorry Bud, I wish I can help you. I am sure our LEO members can give you better insights.
I have a couple questions about tickets i got mid march and I have court for them tomorrow.
the charges are driving under suspension
failure to register within 60 days
and displaying ficticious plates.
If you can get your license right now, you should be fine. If it is a suspension in which the time limit is still not over with, you are going to get fined and maybe more time on your license. Registering your car was just part of your ticket, small fine. Displaying ficticious plate is also a small concern. You are going to court because of you were driving under suspension, the other two are small. So you should only be worried about the license issue.
Bailey Guns
05-08-2011, 16:35
If you can try to speak with the DA on the case before your court appearance. Explain the issues to him/her and basically beg for leniency. Since you have the car registered with insurance, etc...that should definitely work in your favor. Just ask the DA for the best deal you can get and you probably will walk out with a small fine for a defective vehicle or something similar.
That's been my experience, anyway.
He's going to traffic court so he should get pulled into a side room with the DA anyway to work stuff out.
KevDen2005
05-08-2011, 16:53
The state is charging you, so get an attorney, one will be provided to you. Public Defenders usually know the DA's pretty well and may be able to work a good deal for you...just a thought.
Don't quote me but I would assume if you already have your license back and you aren't a previous offender that I wouldn't worry about jail time or losing your license, maybe fines and points, or "probation" but I doubt that...again I don't work that side of the house and don't know your extensive history...but I would definitely dress nice and get there early if you haven't talked to the DA already. If you get a chance to talk to the DA before hand you can do so, but be careful, if you plan on getting a lawyer don't break anything they can't fix
Half Live
05-08-2011, 17:24
Also a good tip is to dress to impress. Don't show up in a T-shirt and jeans.
Thanks guys I am so nervous right now it is not even funny. I hope it goes smoothly
I am washing my funeral/wedding/court cloths as i type probably going to bring out a tie too.
Ken. I got a couple quotes from a lawyers and the price is not even in the ball park of me being able to afford right now. did not know about the Public defender thing.
Mainly right now I know i screwed up and am prepared to take what is given but I need a license to be employed and it really is my only skill set. besides the fact I live 30 miles from work.
Thanks guys I am so nervous right now it is not even funny. I hope it goes smoothly
I am washing my funeral/wedding/court cloths as i type probably going to bring out a tie too.
Ken. I got a couple quotes from a lawyers and the price is not even in the ball park of me being able to afford right now. did not know about the Public defender thing.
Mainly right now I know i screwed up and am prepared to take what is given but I need a license to be employed and it really is my only skill set. besides the fact I live 30 miles from work.
Were you able to obtain your license at the time in which you were pulled over? If the answer is yes, then you are in the clear. I know this because I have had that happen to me twice. Pulled over for a tail light once and a cracked windshield and then found out my license was suspended. I was just able to pay money and it back both times and since that was the only reason that it was suspended, they just fined me a little more and called it good. I have also had the two other charges come up... Those are nothing. It all depends on your license. That is what you are going to court for tomorrow.
Were you able to obtain your license at the time in which you were pulled over? If the answer is yes, then you are in the clear. I know this because I have had that happen to me twice. Pulled over for a tail light once and a cracked windshield and then found out my license was suspended. I was just able to pay money and it back both times and since that was the only reason that it was suspended, they just fined me a little more and called it good. I have also had the two other charges come up... Those are nothing. It all depends on your license. That is what you are going to court for tomorrow.
after i paid the missed ticket and 95 dollar fee my license was GTG
after i paid the missed ticket and 95 dollar fee my license was GTG
Ya man, you're golden. Like I said, been there done that. Nothing to worry about except the money out of pocket. Shouldn't run you more than $300 if that. Relax, you're fine.
Oh ya, and the time lost at work, just more money out of pocket there too.
Bailey Guns
05-08-2011, 17:52
If this is your first court appearance you'll have the opportunity to ask for a trial and public defender if you can't work something out with the DA.
Generally...not always...you'll be able to work something with the DA that's as good as a lawyer could get without paying anything. If you don't, ask for a trial and PD.
Just my thoughts from seeing similar situations over the years.
Oh ya, and the time lost at work, just more money out of pocket there too.
If this is your first court appearance you'll have the opportunity to ask for a trial and public defender if you can't work something out with the DA.
Generally...not always...you'll be able to work something with the DA that's as good as a lawyer could get without paying anything. If you don't, ask for a trial and PD.
Just my thoughts from seeing similar situations over the years.
Thank you again just need to relax I guess.
I hope it goes well but I really seem to have problems in the luck dept sometimes. Karma has a way Fing me in the ass occasionally. and usually does not cuddle afterward
JohnTRourke
05-08-2011, 18:02
Get a LAWYER!!!!!!!!!!!!
it's the price of admission.
You just have to do it.
not a lawyer, hate lawyers, but that's the way the system is rigged (unless of course, you're an illegal in which case it's all waived and good to go)
you WILL get fucked.
GET A LAWYER!!!!!!!!!!!!
KevDen2005
05-08-2011, 19:55
Get a public defender, they are free and will do what they can to help. I have had great experiences with them, they are busy, well trained, and have previous relationships with judges and DA's so they know what they can ask for and get away with, and it is free to you.
I will reiterate what someone else said, Dress to impress.
My friend has been in far far far worse shape. He still has a license. Don't worry toouch. Just know you will pay out of pocket. Hopefully the public defender thing works and cam talk down the price a bit.
you WILL get fucked.
GET A LAWYER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, lawyers cost money and if you have court tomorrow morning you're shit out of luck.
Fortunately, the ADA probably does not really want to yank your license (again) or put you in jail. He just wants your money. They do accept Visa and Mastercard and if you cannot pay they will probably allow you to get on a payment plan -- but you really do NOT want to go through that hassle. Best to pay it all even if you can't afford it just to put it behind you. If you've already paid to get your license, got your car legal, got your car out of impound, well that probably cost quite a bit more than you'll need to pay at court. It will probably be about $300 in fines plus assorted fees and court costs. You should be okay. Don't bring anything metal into the courthouse.
Unfortunately, lawyers cost money and if you have court tomorrow morning you're shit out of luck.
Fortunately, the ADA probably does not really want to yank your license (again) or put you in jail. He just wants your money. They do accept Visa and Mastercard and if you cannot pay they will probably allow you to get on a payment plan -- but you really do NOT want to go through that hassle. Best to pay it all even if you can't afford it just to put it behind you. If you've already paid to get your license, got your car legal, got your car out of impound, well that probably cost quite a bit more than you'll need to pay at court. It will probably be about $300 in fines plus assorted fees and court costs. You should be okay. Don't bring anything metal into the courthouse.
Yup cost me $700 hundred american dollars...
I am basically going to see how tomorrow goes and than decide to take it to trial and lawyer up really my only option right now
OneGuy67
05-08-2011, 21:42
If I understand the information provided, you now have your license re-instated, the vehicle is properly registered and insured. Correct?
If so, then you really don't have too much to worry about. Most of the D.A.'s (my experience anyway in Arapahoe & Douglas) will go lightly on you since you went out and took care of all the issues you were cited for. You don't mention if you were cited for not having insurance. If so, that one is the one that will be expensive and could potentially get your license suspended again. If you had insurance, the rest are pretty easy to deal with. Hopefully, you don't have a history of these things on your driving record.
As what others have said, dress nicely, be polite. Plead your case to the DA and reiterate you fixed all the issues immediately after being cited. Show proof of that.
If you don't like what the D.A. is offering, then set it for trial and request a public defender. You will have to prove your lack of means in order to qualify for one, but that isn't too much of a hurdle.
Relax.
ldmaster
05-08-2011, 21:55
The court and the Dept of Revenue.
Some stuff is laid out in stone, like fines or periods of suspension, etc.
Since you didn't do a Muni court violation (you should have a GREEN colored summons), you're going to Arapahoe county court. Don't know all the procedures there, but...
Showing full compliance is usually a ticket to a quick plea bargain, in all the traffic court stuff I've ever seen or participated in, NOBODY ever got a better deal by talking to the judge. If you're going the not-guilty thing, different matter, but if you're planning on just getting it done and over with, then you're doing the plea bargain I assume.
The biggest problem you face is the driving while under suspension. If and that's a big IF, you were under suspension but had the RIGHT to reinstatement (but just hadn't gotten around to it) then you can probably get that reduced or dropped, ASSUMING that what I outlined is the case. If you were DUS while you were NOT eligible to reinstate, the fines are hefty.
The DMV, clearly, did not know (or care, innocent til proven guilty) you faced a traffic violation when they reinstated you - if you take the hit on the DUS, your license will PROBABLY be suspended again. So it's key that you get the DA to reduce the DUS to something that wont get you in trouble with the Dept of Revenue.
The license plate thing, just stupid. Fictitious plates was more along the lines of a friend doing you a favor that he didn't have to do, by standing up for it, you kept him out of trouble.
I'd say you're facing around 900 to 1100 bucks - based on experience watching this stuff happen. The driving without insurance is a MANDATORY STATE FINE of 500 bucks and a mandatory suspension of your license. This is where a "nice" DA can help you out. He/she will discuss with you the penalties you face IF you plead guilty, prior to you taking the plea. Reducing the charge is the DA's thing, he can do it, or he can NOT do it - it's a policy thing in most jurisdictions. If your record is otherwise clean, you might get a break - but you had one suspension on your record, don't expect any favors.
Jail time doesn't really happen, like most jurisdictions, traffic offenses, especially those that don't involve an accident or injury, are all about the Benjamins.
The worse that can happen is you talk to the DA, if you don't like the deal, see if you can get a continuance to consult an attorney. Then consult an attorney.
DMV will fuck you 10 times worse than the state will. Also, a lawyer is REQUIRED to even ask the DMV a question. Those fucks will flat out ignore you unless you lawyer up.
I am a shit ton poorer but still have a DL I am happy with the outcome
Good to hear man, money can be made back.
Bailey Guns
05-09-2011, 09:08
So what happened?
So what happened?
The DA dismissed the fictitiousness plates dropped the no license to a 3 pt ticket and kept the failure to register about 4 bills out the door. add that to the $700 it cost me to get everything squared away and car out of impound this has been an expensive lesson. my stuff required for driving will never again get dicked around with
glad you got to keep your license and get to move on with your life.
KevDen2005
05-09-2011, 10:06
glad it worked out more or less. Did they offer something right away or did you attempt a negotiation with the DA?
Bailey Guns
05-09-2011, 10:08
Good to hear. Sounds like a pretty fair deal. It's been my experience that, at least for minor stuff like this, it's worth a shot to see what the DA will do before going to the expense of a lawyer.
If he/she hadn't been willing to work with you there still would've been time to get a lawyer to help you out.
glad it worked out more or less. Did they offer something right away or did you attempt a negotiation with the DA?
They offered it right away and I took it just wanted it to get it over with.
was the first one there at 730 and out by 845
KevDen2005
05-09-2011, 10:16
You may have mentioned, but what county?
I agree with Bailey, unless there is an extensive history or something like that, they will plea it very quickly. I am sure the DA was just as happy to get rid of it considering their case load.
I know if that deal was offered to me, knowing what I know, I would just have taken it and gotten rid of the whole thing myself.
You may have mentioned, but what county?
I agree with Bailey, unless there is an extensive history or something like that, they will plea it very quickly. I am sure the DA was just as happy to get rid of it considering their case load.
I know if that deal was offered to me, knowing what I know, I would just have taken it and gotten rid of the whole thing myself.
Arapahoe
My driving record is not horrible one 20 plus speeding ticket in 07 and a driving with out insurance in early 2010. So I took what I could wore a tie for the first time in close to 5 years too.
KevDen2005
05-09-2011, 10:24
Arapahoe
My driving record is not horrible one 20 plus speeding ticket in 07 and a driving with out insurance in early 2010. So I took what I could wore a tie for the first time in close to 5 years too.
Good deal anyway man, I am glad you walked out of there with your license and not losing too much and glad the stress is over.
The DA dismissed the fictitiousness plates dropped the no license to a 3 pt ticket and kept the failure to register about 4 bills out the door. add that to the $700 it cost me to get everything squared away and car out of impound this has been an expensive lesson. my stuff required for driving will never again get dicked around with
See, I told ya there was nothing to worry about. [Beer]
They offered it right away and I took it just wanted it to get it over with.
was the first one there at 730 and out by 845
The short ammount of time you spent in there is the crazy part of it all. [Tooth]
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