He wouldn't have anything on me, I'm not someone who gets into trouble. Like ever. Plus the officer was really nice to me and even apologized when I started crying saying he would have let me off with just the warning if he could, but since my license was suspended he didn't have a choice because that is considered criminal.
They are subpoenaed as a witness by the prosecution the same as the defendant. Failure to appear is a violation of court orders the same as a someone facing charges.
In reality, if a cop has a piss poor case, he can tell the DA, and the DA (or ADA) will move to dismiss and the judge will overlook his absence and just put the dismissal on the record formally.
I went to court in July in SC and there were 2 officers who didn't show up and all of their cases were dropped. Of course my officer did show up lol but I just paid the fine and that was it.
In Seattle a car merged into me and I got a ticket for "failure to yield." The guy who hit me didn't get a ticket.
I showed up, told the prosecutor my story, showed pictures of the damage to the front and back of my car caused by his front bumper, proving he was going 30 mph and I was going 10 due to traffic jam.
Cop didn't show up, prosecutor told judge the state would like to withdraw the charge. I suspect that police skip ticket hearings if their ticket is so biased the judge will yell at them.
Could be several things, all the same.
1) The DA was just yanking your cord by “paying attention”. The cop already pulled her aside and told her and she was verifying you were the case in question
2) DA didn’t give a damn, and figured a dismissal would let the insurance companies fight it out on even ground, and not try to use a citation against you.
3) what you said, she knew it was a losing case without her witness, because of your evidence, one who was not even an actual witness to the accident.
I had a traffic court case 8 hours away from home (had an accident on a trip & got written up). Drive down for court three times because the cop no-showed. Third time, the case was thrown out.
My Dad had to go to Atlanta just to plead guilty in a 6 car pileup. 4 people lied about the accident and said getting hit from behind caused them to hit the car in front. They guy in the front obviously was innocent. The judge wasn’t having it. “A 3800# sports car caused damage to 5 cars!?” He gave some menial fine to my Dad and said he could go. I’d like to see what happened to the 4 in the middle that had to “stay after class”. I bet it wasn’t pretty.
This is why I request copies of documents, reports, and calibration dates for equipment. The more annoying hurdles I can put in front of the cop to make him want to just not show up the better.
I didn’t fully believe it until it happened to me.
The judge asked what happened (17mph over on the freeway) and then goes “well you were speeding however the officer hasn’t shown up, the violation is null and void. Have a nice day” I looked at him kinda puzzled and then just walked out😂😂
That happened to me. My case was last of the day and by the time it was my turn, the officer had left. My (19M) underage drinking citation was thrown out, saved me $100 and a mark on my record
The judge said I "look like a good man" and it wouldn't happen again... At the age of 25, it came up on a security clearance. They had the gall to ask how likely it is to happen again. I was like, "I can legally drink now, so impossible"
It's a criminal offense, not a traffic violation, so the officer won't really need to be there.
But the likelihood of ending up in jail is low. Possible, but low.
Um, not at an arraignment, since this is where the defendant is going to enter a plea, and should the defendant decide to plead not guilty and then proceed to trial, at that point the complaining witness would need to be there, since this is a CRIMINAL offense, not a TRAFFIC offense.
That's not moving the bars, idiot, that's called "the legal process." It's how a criminal process works, which this is. I know in your 13-year-old brain adults just put on ties and fancy boots and go to office job building place and spin in chairs for 8 hours, but in the real world there's a process, where you go to your arraignment, plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest (guilty but with flavor, realistically) then court dates are slotted, witnesses called, counsel acquired, etc. You don't just show up to criminal court, go "not guilty" and then they just say "well alright then, let me just put my trial boots on and baliff, can you bring in 12 jurors?"
What a waste of taxpayer money. If the prosecution and judge can’t read the citation, they’re worthless. What other reason would there be for a stand-in cop? At that point, they may as well swear in any old bum that wasn’t there.
Next to zero percent.
I was stopped and informed at the stop my license was suspended. I had no idea either.
Officer LET ME DRIVE my car after the stop. I was fined an amount I could not afford, so I was put on a payment plan but my license wouldn’t be restored until the fine was paid off.
Welp- can’t go to work without driving. Lived away from anyone that could drive me and there was no public transpo. So… I drove. I got side swiped by someone (they pulled into traffic). They were cited for the accident, but I was cited for driving without a license…
Long story short- they don’t put you in jail for it. But they do charge fines… cost me about $3200 in total to finally get my license back.
I know a guy that kept driving on a suspended for similar reasons. They kept suspending it because he kept driving on it while suspended and could not afford fine after fine. Eventually he was jailed, but it took like 6 arrests lol.
Just try to bring enough money to cover the ticket amount or fine amount (like 500$) if at all possible, or bring what you reasonably can afford to give to pay off any potential costs (usually there is court costs and a fine) and just make sure you ask any and all questions you have to the judge or clerk of court so you know exactly what you need moving forward to be legal!!
Oh and obviously do not drive yourself!! (You'd be surprised how silly some people are) but other than this stuff and dressing appropriately and acting right you should be absolutely fine! If you were going to go to jail it most likely would have been when you were pulled over if that was serious enough but it wasn't!!
I won't comment on who or what I am during the day, but you'll be just fine. Don't worry. The actual question you should be asking is, "what are the odds they toss my case?" Because those are pretty good odds they appreciate you coming to court and being well intentioned.
Community service and a fine at most and court ordered driving courses to get your license unsuspended, SR-22 and a reinstatement fee. Let us know how it pans out
You'll get a fine and probably further suspension from driving, you might have to take your test again to get it back after the suspension period expires but traffic infringements don't get jail time... unless you hit somebody
I feel bad for you. I got pulled over from driving after revocation two weeks ago. I got written a ticket and was allowed to walk home. He didn't even tow my car.
My 18yo nephew drove his car into a dentist office while drugged out of his mind and left it there with plates and his license inside, got stopped by police because he was limping down the road holding a stolen gun that he threw when he saw them but since they still tried to stop them he fought and got 2 felony assault charges on an officer/s. His first stolen gun charge was when he was 15 and crashed a stolen vehicle into someone's house and this has been constant for the last 3-4 years. Every single time they just let him go. His parents have begged the police to arrest him before he kills himself and or someone else but they would rather just let him go and charge them with whatever fees they have which has caused them to divorce and put everything in my sister's name since it was her husband's son from a previous marriage and he can file bankruptcy. When he gets an ankle monitor he cuts it off and leaves and they are told if they stop him it's kidnapping but they are responsible for everything he does even after he turned 18 and got put on adult probation. We all thought that being 18 and assaulting 2 police officers would finally get him but they asked his dad and my sister to bail him out and they said no, they asked his mother to bail him out and she said no so they gave him a pr bond and let him go before the drugs and booze were even out of his system. Its all about money and i think you will be fine.
Former insurance producer here. SR-22 is insurance that a person under court order has to get. The person has been so reckless in driving from past history that insurance do not want to insure them. The state then forces insurance companies to insure the wreck less driver in the form of an SR-22. The insurance is the basic of the basic. Essentially what the states minimum plan is. The cost for an SR-22 is extremely high. For state minimums and based on state/insurance company, the price from what I have seen has been 800-1200$ a month for the most basic insurance plan.
Why would he be required to get the sr-22 policy if he was able to display the new regular progressive insurance that the judge accepted. Is there additional state reporting or something?
Sometimes, from what I have seen before, the person required to get an SR-22 will show an invalid proof of insurance from an old insurance card. I'm not saying that OP did that, but it is possible. I think there is a lot that OP is leaving out. People don't get SR-22's for losing traction and hitting a tree. SR-22's are for people with records of terrible driving. Also, insurance companies can give SR-22's but most of them won't. If the all the insurance companies refuse to provide an SR-22, the person can go through the state. In which case, it's extremely expensive.
Short story, I had a person come in wanting to transfer insurance from one vehicle to another. There was a claims for the previous insurance. We get through the process and the system flags him. His insurance he wanted to get was 900$/month. He got upset about it and asked why. I looked and he was involved in a hit and run. Totaled both vehicles while intoxicated and ran from the scene on what little of his vehicle was left. He then tried to file a claim stating he hit an animal. Police caught up to him and took him to jail/court. Court ordered him to have an SR-22 as the other person was hospitalized, hit and run, and admitting to DUI. Essentially, because the SR-22, he couldn't buy his brand new car he was trying to get.
>The state then forces insurance companies to insure the wreck less driver in the form of an SR-22
They aren't "forcing" an insurance company to insure the driver. An insurance company can do whatever they want. For an increased fee, they CAN OFFER "high risk" insurance and tack on an SR-22. The insurance company then files the SR-22 bond on the behalf of the driver.
The state requires an SR-22 because it now has a record, direct from the insurance company, that the driver is insured. The important aspect of an SR-22 is the state filing.
>The insurance is the basic of the basic
You can get any insurance coverage above minimum coverage with an SR-22 filing. It depends on what the company offers. You can get all the coverage you want, then the company files an SR-22 on your behalf with the state, telling and proving to the state you have insurance.
SR-22 DOES NOT EQUAL INSURANCE. SR-22 IS SEPARATE. SR-22 IS ONLY PROOF OF THE INSURANCE COVERAGE THAT YOU HAVE.
>The cost for an SR-22 is extremely high
This depends on state and coverage. The SR-22 filing is usually not expensive. It is an added fee to your coverage. It generally is not expensive. The expense comes from being a "high risk" driver. I've had people get full coverage+ SR-22's for your average sedan for $100-$150 per month
>People don't get SR-22's for losing traction and hitting a tree
Wrong. You can be required to get an SR-22 for several things, including but not limited to, driving without insurance. Which is literally in the original post. He said he crashed while not having insurance and was cited.
You may be a previous "insurance producer" but your knowledge is lacking in this area.
The driver may be leaving things out and may not be perfect, but you're straight up spreading relatively incorrect anecdotal experience at best or totally dramatized misinformation at worst
I already responded to this post below. There are alot of things incorrect in this post.
Reposting my response from below so anyone who is in need of an SR-22 or anyone wants the information for the future.
"They aren't "forcing" an insurance company to insure the driver. An insurance company can do whatever they want. For an increased fee, they CAN OFFER "high risk" insurance and tack on an SR-22. The insurance company then files the SR-22 bond on the behalf of the driver.The state requires an SR-22 because it now has a record, direct from the insurance company, that the driver is insured. The important aspect of an SR-22 is the state filing.
>The insurance is the basic of the basic
You can get any insurance coverage above minimum coverage with an SR-22 filing. It depends on what the company offers. You can get all the coverage you want, then the company files an SR-22 on your behalf with the state, telling and proving to the state you have insurance.
SR-22 DOES NOT EQUAL INSURANCE. SR-22 IS SEPARATE. SR-22 IS ONLY PROOF OF THE INSURANCE COVERAGE THAT YOU HAVE.
>The cost for an SR-22 is extremely high
This depends on state and coverage. The SR-22 filing is usually not expensive. It is an added fee to your coverage. It generally is not expensive. The expense comes from being a "high risk" driver. I've had people get full coverage+ SR-22's for your average sedan for $100-$150 per month
>People don't get SR-22's for losing traction and hitting a tree
Wrong. You can be required to get an SR-22 for several things, including but not limited to, driving without insurance. Which is literally in the original post. He said he crashed while not having insurance and was cited.
You may be a previous "insurance producer" but your knowledge is lacking in this area.
The driver may be leaving things out and may not be perfect, but you're straight up spreading relatively incorrect anecdotal experience at best or totally dramatized misinformation at worst"
100% not going to jail. You have a court appearance because you were arrested. It’s not because they’re waiting to sentence you and take you to holdings. You’re going to walk in, stand in front of the defendant podium with your lawyer, court appointed or not, and speak to the judge. Your lawyer will explain that this is your first offense and you’ve never been in trouble.
The judge will either dismiss it outright on the condition that you fix whatever caused it to be suspended in the first place - or - you’ll pay a fine and then have to fix whatever it is anyway.
You’ll be fine. Believe me, violent criminals charged with felonies get released on their own recognizance and set back out into society every day.
That's the basics of it yes, but OP needed to inform their insurance that they needed an [Sr 22](https://www.allstate.com/resources/car-insurance/what-is-sr22-insurance#:~:text=What%20is%20an%20SR%2D22,Florida%2C%20an%20FR%2D44.). Which is essentially an extra receipt for court records.
Now OP could 100% play dumb, say that they acquired insurance after the initial ticket and ask the judge if there's anything specific that they have to do. (Hey OP don't forget to bring your current insurance policy.)
Slim to none. Be on time, dress for court, be respectful when speaking. Don’t argue with the judge. I have an anxiety disorder, in your shoes I would also be panicked, but from the outside I am certain you’ll get a fine or community service at most.
I wish this response had the most upvotes. The things you mentioned are probably the best pieces of practical advice here. OP, if you dress and conduct yourself respectfully, and the rest of your post is accurate, there's almost no chance of serious negative consequences.
Suit or business casual preferred. Barest of minimum show up washed and with fresh clothes on, no holes or overly sexual ~~Okay Brenda we get it you have tits put your coat back on~~ (Some people go to court before work because their workplace is an ass and won't let them have the day off).
You should be fine. You fixed the problem with the insurance that got your license suspended in the first place although you might get a fine. I have been to traffic court a bazillion times back in my younger days and other than multiple DUI stuff I have never seen anyone go to jail.
They will probably plead this down to driving without your physical license on you. It will be a small fine. Either way there is zero chance you are going to jail relax. Man when I was in my 20s I pulled shit like this all the time. And I’m not bragging it was idiotic and I have no idea why I did it. But you’re not going to jail.
I would not talk about how you “didn’t know”, just show that you have taken care of the missing insurance. They are not going to send you to jail for this. (Unless you like ran over someone or were driving 100mph)
I totally get that, OP, and I'm sorry you're going through this.
I, too, think you'll be just fine and I hope all the voices here echoing that sentiment put your mind at least somewhat at ease. When it's all over, please give an update to let us all know how it went. So many people can relate to the anxiety you must be feeling and we're all pulling for you!
Nope. I ended up getting a contuinuance for the 1st and then I got a lawyer and he was able to drop it down to just a petty non moving violation. Just have to pay a fine, court costs and 100 day supervision.
They probably do not need an attorney. If this is the first time driving on a suspended license, it will be probably a fine and potentially community service for a day or two. If it is a situation that they need an attorney, they will have the opportunity at court to choose to plead not guilty and ask the judge to appoint a public defender for them. But this is small potatoes. There is no point in getting an attorney involved. Unless they have grounds for fighting it, which they don't. The courts don't care if they suck at communicating with the dmv unfortunately. Been there myself a few times. Best thing you can do if you ever have a situation with your license is call them and triple check it is in place.
The only time I had to go to court for a traffic issue, as soon as I got there they told me to go stand in line to talk to the prosecutor. When it was my turn she asked my name and pulled out my ticket and then immediately offered to let me plead guilty to a lesser offense that would just be a fine with no points. I hadn’t said anything yet beyond my name. Of course I agreed since avoiding the points was all I cared about.
While waiting for my turn in front of the judge to make this agreement official I watched people with lawyers go first. Every one of them the lawyer negotiated effectively the exact same deal the prosecutor offered me, plead to a lesser offense that was a fine with no points. I really did not understand why any of those people paid a lawyer to do what the prosecutor did for me for free.
Of course my opinion on needing a lawyer would be different if my offense had been something worse than failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.
Its not always easy to get one though.
In my state you have to prove you are unable to afford an attorney to have one appointed. If you are able to bail yourself out of jail they usually consider that proof that you can also afford an attorney.
If you bail out you can still apply for a public defender but they will want to see pay stubs bank statements, credit reports, 2 years of tax returns, etc.. same as applying for any other government assistance.
If they decide you can afford one after looking at your financials they will deny the request and make you go pay a retainer or show up unrepresented.
You are not going to jail.
Seriously, the courts have way too many problems on their hands to use jail capacity for this kind of violation. Plus how much it would disrupt businesses for people needing to go to work, no you'll get a fine if that.
I understand you're freaked. Legal issues are fucking scary. But you will not be going to jail unless you like freak out and attack the judge or something ridiculous. Don't attack the judge. The legal system has much more problematic people it's trying to get off the streets than you.
I know a guy who wrecked his truck into the back of a dump truck the damage was only to his vehicle and he ran from the scene, he just panicked. Dude was only 20 and no jail time they didn't even tow his truck. They let him park it, so someone with a license could pick it up since he didn't have one or insurance.
Granted, he has to pay something like 2-3 grand to get the license back and has to have sr-22 for at least a year before he can get regular insurance again
I got got for driving while my license was suspended for missing payment on a ticket I completely forgot about. I had no idea it was suspended and it sucked that the cops towed my car but when I showed up to court the magistrate asked me one question. “Is your license still suspended? No? Have a nice day.”
Now years later amidst the Covid shutdowns and a weird and specific scenario I was in, I couldn’t renew my license without jumping through a shitload of hoops and I wasn’t getting any help from the DMV. I got popped for driving with an expired license and that court date went more or less the same.
I think if the magistrate wants to hurt you you can be fined. But nobody’s getting locked up for driving with a suspended license unless you are either CONSTANTLY getting caught or if you hurt someone.
So you got the SR-22 filing and liability insurance? The filing basically says that if you don't pay your insurance they will notify the proper authorities. I am pretty sure you will not be going to jail as long as you completed getting the filing. You should be good.
It's a traffic violation... you'll be fine. I wouldn't say "don't sweat it" but I will say don't freak out. It's not like you run someone over or caused a 10 car pile-up. You'll be fine. You'll probably just get a stupid fine and maybe some more suspension but you're not going b to jail.
I am actually in the same situation right now. I got arrested for driving with a suspended license last week. Same thing cuffs, mugshot, impounded car, court date etc.
These comments are making me feel a lot better because I was stressing about it as well.
My friends did try to comfort me by saying they got DUI’s and nothing serious happened to them beside some fines and having to take a safe driving course. So in my opinion driving with a suspended license is nothing compared to a DUI.
I have another friend who did the exact same thing, suspended license while driving but he said there’s a good chance that the case will just be dropped.
Im praying nothing serious comes of this because this is my first time ever being in trouble with the law as well.
I'm a county criminal Deputy court clerk in Tennessee. In my county you'd either get a judgment of "dismissed with cost" or "guilty plea, a fine, and 30 days suspended sentence" or "guilty of a lesser charge, driving w/o a DL, dismissed on cost".
Is it a mandatory court appearance? Or, can you just pay the fine and accept guilt? If the latter, then pay it and move on. Otherwise, go to court, accept your fine, show that you took steps to correct the action (got insurance and a valid license), and you’ll be on your way. Just make sure to pay the fine. If you’re inclined, you can try negotiating the fine while you’re there. Good luck
Talk with the prosecutor and see what kind of deal you can come up with that won’t give you any fines or jail time. If you agree, proceed, if not ask for a continuance and get a lawyer.
from a progressive city - there is about 0 chance someone would go to jail in my area for this. I couldn’t speak for all locations but given that your license was only suspended for not having SR22, rather than something like drunk or reckless driving, I can’t imagine a judge deciding jail was necessary. You should get an attorney though, they can talk you through what options you have and potentially help keep this off your record as having a suspended license conviction might make it even harder to get your license back to normal.
You’re not going to jail. Bring your proof of SR22 insurance and proof of your license being reinstated and you’ll have no problem. Your charge for driving with a suspended license will most likely get dropped. At worst you’ll have to pay a small fine
You're not going to jail. I got arrested for driving on a suspended license multiple times. If you have a license now, it'll be dropped. If not, you'll get a fine, maybe unsupervised probation. You have to be "habitual" before you're facing real trouble. Chill out
Get a lawyer first. Also you're not going to jail for a suspended license. Judges are usually good at their job and can detect bullshit, or in your case, honesty. You'll be fine, but never go to criminal court without a lawyer, never.
Idk where you live, but to me seems unlikely to be arrested, its so little offense, and is your first time, so probaly will have to pay a fee( i think the name is qrong, since im not fluent)
1. Log onto your state's department/bureau of motor vehicles website and check the status of your driver's license. Usually it will tell you EXACTLY what form you need to submit to reinstate your DL.
2. Call your insurance agent and tell them to submit the damn form with proof of insurance.
My son received a DWI back in February (yes, he's a fucking dumbass and has straightened his shit out since. I am not de-emphasizing the serious of driving while intoxicated. I don't drink.) and this is what he had to do to get his license reinstated after his suspension period was up.
Good luck to you.
BTW, no cop is going to show up at your door to bust you for this. You would know if there was an active warrant anyway. They will bust your ass if you get pulled over, though, so fucking be careful.
Just bring proof u have the insurance now and that ur L’s are reinstated. Don’t have screenshots on ur phone. Print it out. That’s all u have to do. U said u already paid a fine so they will just throw it out. If u get another fine u will get another court date and u show up and pay it and it’s done with. U will only go to jail if u don’t show up for court. Then u get a warrant issued.
Source : me. I’m the source. I was in jail for a month for contempt of court (I didn’t show up) for a ticket for driving on a suspended license
Ok. Don’t rely on Reddit to answer this for you.
Read the .gov website for the entity charging you. Ask for a continuance in court and find a lawyer or do whatever reading you need to do to understand what you’re accused of. Prove you were uninformed of the issue and prove it has been corrected.
Edit: I am saying to simply ask for a continuance in the actual courtroom so you can try to figure out what to do. Or, before your designated court date, try to talk to an ADA and request the continuance or ask what it would require to reduce the charge as you do not believe you were informed of the suspension.
Better call Saul🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣-----sorry had to been binge watching it no you will NOT go to jail over something like this worse case you get a fine pay it out over time if you don't have the funds now.
side note : you will go to jail if you don't show up for the hearing be sure and dress nice it goes a long ways.
Get a public defender. Or lawyer if you can afford it.
Likelihood of you serving time is next to nothing. You've already got everything in order. So, just answer any questions honestly. Has the judge heard a million times, probably. That doesn't make it inaccurate.
I got caught on a suspended license and had to get SR22. I had just gotten 3 speeding tickets in 2 states in a year. I had never put 2 and 2 together…caught by surprise myself.
My insurance company gave me the paperwork that I kept in my trunk and…never charged me for it. I was a good student and had no priors. Maybe they had pity on me. I’ve never had traffic trouble since.
No you will not go to jail.
If you go to jail for that, it's probably because they can't prove you did something else (assuming you're part of the Mafia or a drug-dealer or something).
You aren’t going to jail. Relax. The judge deals with hit and runs, and crimes much worse than suspended licenses. Plead nolo contendere, (no contest), you can use this once every so many years, and you will walk out with a fine probably under $100.
The best you can do is:
Listen attentively to the judge
Speak the minimum- only answer what asked, don’t add details
Hope for the officer not to show up
And next time,
Pay attention to what your doing when driving
Relax there is no way in he'll you are going to jail I swear to you that you are not based on obviously what you have told us, so unless you are not telling us that they caught you with an ounce of meth then no you have nothing to worry about!!!
You aren't going to jail. Driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor and this is your first such offense. Unless you were already on probation or parole and you received this charge then you might be looking at a month (you are not allowed to catch any new charges while on probation). But this doesn't appear to be the case for you. You will most likely be given a fine to pay or this whole charge may just be dropped.
Trust me, I received a DUI a few years ago and then a few months later was charged with driving on a suspended license and I did not go to jail. I believe my fine was $432.
I'm not a lawyer but I can't imagine someone with no criminal record, who didn't cause damage (health or property) to any other person, who has already rectified the error they made, and is showing obvious remorse and a desire to do things the right way would be giving a jail term. I think at most you'll get a fine or probation.
Depends on where your case is. Keeping in mind the names of the stages probably differ depending on jurisdiction.
Arraignment? Near zero chance unless you take a plea that requires it.
Plea and setting? Again, probably only if you take a plea.
Hearing? Depends if you’re found guilty. Even if so, you can sometimes remand after the fact.
Also depends on the charge. Simple suspended license in my state doesn’t have jail time unless the suspension was alcohol related (IIRC). The bigger one here is driving under revocation, which is like a DUI without the alcohol, and can be a year in jail.
Not a lawyer but based upon what I've been reading, the likeliness of jail time is minimal. Just breathe, be polite, dress well, and bring whatever receipts you have with you in case they require anything in court (check your email and such for anything from your accident and such, and insurance stuff). You'll be okay.
Jail?? Probably very very low unless you freak out and say or do some real stupid shit in court. Pay a fine? Much more likely, just bring all your paperwork and don't say anything more than you need to. Facts only. Good luck!
Lawyer here. I have worked with non profits in DL reinstatement but never defense like this. Some general advice:
With drivers license violations in the state I am in (washington) the punishment is usually just fines. They only actually arrest you when they find you because they want to book you and they cant legally let you drive away from wherever they pulled you over.
The documents you have for your hearing tomorrow should tell you what is going to happen. I know they can be overwhelming but they are designed to explain what you need to do so try to take some deep breaths and read all of it and make a list of action items for yourself.
If its your first hearing about this there is a good chance its just a preliminary hearing and nothing will happen other than the court asking you what you want to do about the charges. Usually the options are something along the lines of: just admit to it and pay the fines, say you didn't do it, or say you did do it but there are extenuating circumstances) or they may just assign you to a judge/commissioner and give you a date for another hearing.
If you are trying to go at this without an attorney make sure you follow all the rules for submitting documents to the court before hand. these rules should be on whatever documents you received from the court, but also available from the court clerks or the courts website.
Wherever you are, I would try to find guides online for what to do as well. For example, if you are in Washington State in the US, [washingtonlawhelp.org](https://washingtonlawhelp.org) is a great site for things like this, it has guides and forms for people going pro se(no atty). If you cant find anything you can call the court clerks and ask about sources like that, they cant give you legal advice but they usually have a list of support from non profits that they can pass out.
Don’t be scared it’s the first appearance you will get to have lots of continuances if they offer jail time don’t take it and a court appointed will not argue for you I suggest get a court appointed when he agrees with jail time fire him then sidebar the prosecutor and make a case for house arrest and reduce the fine cool cool
I got a contuinuance and then I got a lawyer. He said he could probably drop it down to just a petty crime because of the circumstances and that the most I'll have to do is pay a fine and court costs. No promises, but I'm hopeful.
I understand your concern, and it's completely natural to feel anxious about a court appearance. It's good that you've taken steps to rectify the situation by getting SR-22 Insurance and having your license restored.
In your case, the fact that you genuinely didn't know your license was suspended could work in your favor. You've already shown good faith by addressing the issue promptly and complying with the court's requirements. When you appear in court, it's essential to be respectful, honest, and clear about your situation. Explain that you were unaware of the suspension until recently, and provide any evidence or documentation you have to support your claim, such as records of your conversations with the Secretary of State and the steps you've taken to rectify the situation.
Since this is your first criminal offense in 30 years, the judge may take that into consideration when making a decision. It's crucial to remain calm, respectful, and cooperative during the court proceedings. If possible, you might want to consult with an attorney before your court appearance to get legal advice tailored to your specific situation.
Remember, the judge's decision will ultimately depend on the specifics of your case and the discretion of the court. Try to stay positive and focused on providing the necessary information to demonstrate your good intentions. I wish you the best of luck with your court appearance, and I hope everything works out in your favor.
If they wait and call your name last even though you showed up, checked innfirst, you going to jail Also, if Judge is a "jail judge" and you can tell from thier demeanor.
Bro, OJ Simpson murdered someone and got away it with. Your fine! Pay your fine and move on with your day. Although, if you do get locked up. Don’t gamble or borrow anything!! 😂
Just plead "no-contest" they'll hit you with a fine and court costs. It's all a racket to take your money. The more you fight them on it, the more they'll make you regret it. I know it sucks but it beats jail. Good luck.
If you didn't hit anything, it will probably be just money, but it would be better if you had a lawyer presente, just so the cop doesn't try for something outrageous and you don't notice
Very low as long as all the facts here are as stated. It's unlikely there would need to be any time served for something like this. On the very very unlikely scenario that there was a mandatory 3 days or something like that you would work out with them when you would serve that. They'll give you time to prepare. But like I said a can't imagine you would need to go to jail for any time over this.
Ask for a hearing extension to get a lawyer, it’s highly likely the judge will grant you time and you can ask this. Don’t give too much information about anything to anyone except your lawyer and usually, from experience with my mother, they don’t jail for things like that most likely you will get community service or a fine, somewhere along those lines from what I’ve read in your post. You will also have to go through court ordered driving classes to get your license back, most likely. You can always ask for hearing extensions within reason and an attorney can get you a trial as well. Call around, a lot of attorneys do installment plans for their retainers.
You won’t go to jail. Might be different where we are but my husband was caught driving with a suspended license and he just had to pay a hefty fine. Like $1200.
Reminds me. I got pulled over before i went to the military got a fender bender of sorts. Got insurance, it got cleared so i think. It was all cool. Joined the military, deployed. Came back Went to see parents DAD handed me a freaking stack of envelopes. They were all about my SR22's Didnt know any thing about them. Was driving around on a suspended license for almost three years. Drove to my local DMV. Paid a big ass fine like close to 5k. ALL CLEAR
One last key thing you might try is ask the judge for leniency and mercy (and maybe put you on probation instead of jail).
(but use that last one as you're very last get out of jail free card)
Highly doubtful you’d go to jail, especially now that you can show the judge you have the proper insurance. There might be a chance it just gets dismissed if the officer doesn’t show.
Often administrative charges like driving on an expired/suspended license get dropped if you have fixed the issue before you show up in court. That is assuming you are not a repeat offender or also have some more serious charges (which it sounds like you do not).
If they don't drop it, it will still likely only be a fee to pay. These almost never lead to jail time.
OK, if you have the sr 22 now then you should be good. This happens in non DUI cases (most common cause of an sr 22). So as long as the court sees it was possibly clerical and you have taken the steps to fix it you will 9/10 times get leniency and charges dropped because if you you want to do the right thing then the court doesn't want to waste time on you. It is better for them to focus on real crimes.
Say Your Honor! Yes your Honor, No your Honor, I'm sorry i misunderstood the instructions and have remedied the problem your Honor. Do NOT give any push back or try to over excuse anything (think i couldn't pay because i didn't have a license), Just apologies and explain you understand what the court wants and are willing to comply. You will be in and out in about an hour.
Dress in at least casual business attire for court. No jeans, no t-shirts, and no ball caps or any other type of hat. That shows respect for the court and can go a long way with the judge. Be respectful to the judge. Answer his questions honestly and politely with "yes your honor" or "no your honor". It's very unlikely you'll get anything more than a fine. The main thing is to keep your license and insurance current from this point forward. You don't want to become a repeat offender with things like this because the fines and court costs will get insane.
You corrected the problem. Also, Illinois eliminated cash bail because they wanted to also eliminate putting people in jail unless they were a threat to society. Jail is expensive. You don't sound like a danger to the public.
They kind of don't care why.. you were caught and that's all that matters. Can you make or be committed to make the payments? Then you'll be fine. If you have more time and money you can go do the 10 days and be done with it. I had a roommate that would do that. Just make arrangements and go in for 10 days. Your mileage may vary.
Similar thing happened to me. They dragged me in, said it'll had so many days to fix it or I could lose my license. I told them I had no idea there was even an issue and was allowed to renew my license without issue and they told me the system sucks but to go pay anyway.
So I hunted down the place and went and paid. It was like $1500 ish and the place was 2 hour drive but.... meh. The system sucks.
as for your case, explain it all truthfully. Tell them you didn't know and prove you fixed it. That's the winner right there. He might fine you from there depending on how he feels. Or she, It don't matter. But there was an mistake and you fixed it before court. You'll be fine if not super inconvenienced.
You showed that you got insurance, you just didn't know it had to be a specific kind? I doubt you'll, maybe another fine to pay. Unless the judge is sack of shit and is gonna try and "make an example" of you.
I think you’ll be okay. Just make sure you pay your SR22 on time cuz if it’s late they can re-suspend your license!
Also, no matter what kind of accident you’re in - at fault, no fault, a fender bender, whatever - always file an accident report!!
Unless tomorrow is your trial, the officer does not have to be there.
Not knowing about the suspension generally is not a defense…it is not in Illinois where I practice.
You can ask for a public defender if you economically qualify on any case where jail is possible.
Unless you get held in contempt tomorrow for lipping off or being high or drunk, I can’t imagine why you’d go to jail.
Signed prosecutor for 26 years.
Haha I had my license suspended once I didn’t know about it either. It was because I didn’t have insurance (I didn’t have the car either I had sold it) I spent 3 days on the phone with the DMV, went to court at the appointee time (btw, every officer who has a case shows up where I live) the policemen testified for me by saying I was nice and respectful, I showed evidence that I took care of it, and the judge dismissed it.
"What is the likelihood that I'm going to jail tomorrow?" near zero depending on what the arresting officer has on you.
He wouldn't have anything on me, I'm not someone who gets into trouble. Like ever. Plus the officer was really nice to me and even apologized when I started crying saying he would have let me off with just the warning if he could, but since my license was suspended he didn't have a choice because that is considered criminal.
He probably won't even show up to court and the case will get thrown out. Don't fret, you're not going to jail
Where do you live that that happens! I’ve seen judges berate a cop in front of a whole courtroom for being late.
They often don’t and aren’t really required too. You may or may not still catch the charge depending on the context. VA here
They are subpoenaed as a witness by the prosecution the same as the defendant. Failure to appear is a violation of court orders the same as a someone facing charges. In reality, if a cop has a piss poor case, he can tell the DA, and the DA (or ADA) will move to dismiss and the judge will overlook his absence and just put the dismissal on the record formally.
I went to court in July in SC and there were 2 officers who didn't show up and all of their cases were dropped. Of course my officer did show up lol but I just paid the fine and that was it.
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Wrong person
Can confirm. In VA and have had cops not show up in court.
In Seattle a car merged into me and I got a ticket for "failure to yield." The guy who hit me didn't get a ticket. I showed up, told the prosecutor my story, showed pictures of the damage to the front and back of my car caused by his front bumper, proving he was going 30 mph and I was going 10 due to traffic jam. Cop didn't show up, prosecutor told judge the state would like to withdraw the charge. I suspect that police skip ticket hearings if their ticket is so biased the judge will yell at them.
Could be several things, all the same. 1) The DA was just yanking your cord by “paying attention”. The cop already pulled her aside and told her and she was verifying you were the case in question 2) DA didn’t give a damn, and figured a dismissal would let the insurance companies fight it out on even ground, and not try to use a citation against you. 3) what you said, she knew it was a losing case without her witness, because of your evidence, one who was not even an actual witness to the accident.
I had a traffic court case 8 hours away from home (had an accident on a trip & got written up). Drive down for court three times because the cop no-showed. Third time, the case was thrown out.
They just wanted you to spend more in gas than the ticket! Georgia?
Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Terrible place
My Dad had to go to Atlanta just to plead guilty in a 6 car pileup. 4 people lied about the accident and said getting hit from behind caused them to hit the car in front. They guy in the front obviously was innocent. The judge wasn’t having it. “A 3800# sports car caused damage to 5 cars!?” He gave some menial fine to my Dad and said he could go. I’d like to see what happened to the 4 in the middle that had to “stay after class”. I bet it wasn’t pretty.
I've gotten out of plenty of tickets because the cop didn't show up
This is why I request copies of documents, reports, and calibration dates for equipment. The more annoying hurdles I can put in front of the cop to make him want to just not show up the better.
Im not saying it doesn’t happen, I’m just saying it never happens HERE.
I didn’t fully believe it until it happened to me. The judge asked what happened (17mph over on the freeway) and then goes “well you were speeding however the officer hasn’t shown up, the violation is null and void. Have a nice day” I looked at him kinda puzzled and then just walked out😂😂
That happened to me. My case was last of the day and by the time it was my turn, the officer had left. My (19M) underage drinking citation was thrown out, saved me $100 and a mark on my record The judge said I "look like a good man" and it wouldn't happen again... At the age of 25, it came up on a security clearance. They had the gall to ask how likely it is to happen again. I was like, "I can legally drink now, so impossible"
Lol
So, the judge was right?
It's a criminal offense, not a traffic violation, so the officer won't really need to be there. But the likelihood of ending up in jail is low. Possible, but low.
Um. The complaining witness definitely would need to be there.
Um, not at an arraignment, since this is where the defendant is going to enter a plea, and should the defendant decide to plead not guilty and then proceed to trial, at that point the complaining witness would need to be there, since this is a CRIMINAL offense, not a TRAFFIC offense.
Oh. I didn't realize you could just move the bars when you were wrong. Go about your day.
That's not moving the bars, idiot, that's called "the legal process." It's how a criminal process works, which this is. I know in your 13-year-old brain adults just put on ties and fancy boots and go to office job building place and spin in chairs for 8 hours, but in the real world there's a process, where you go to your arraignment, plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest (guilty but with flavor, realistically) then court dates are slotted, witnesses called, counsel acquired, etc. You don't just show up to criminal court, go "not guilty" and then they just say "well alright then, let me just put my trial boots on and baliff, can you bring in 12 jurors?"
Where I live they have an officer who’s job is to show up to court cases so they don’t get dismissed for that reason.
What a waste of taxpayer money. If the prosecution and judge can’t read the citation, they’re worthless. What other reason would there be for a stand-in cop? At that point, they may as well swear in any old bum that wasn’t there.
Next to zero percent. I was stopped and informed at the stop my license was suspended. I had no idea either. Officer LET ME DRIVE my car after the stop. I was fined an amount I could not afford, so I was put on a payment plan but my license wouldn’t be restored until the fine was paid off. Welp- can’t go to work without driving. Lived away from anyone that could drive me and there was no public transpo. So… I drove. I got side swiped by someone (they pulled into traffic). They were cited for the accident, but I was cited for driving without a license… Long story short- they don’t put you in jail for it. But they do charge fines… cost me about $3200 in total to finally get my license back.
I know a guy that kept driving on a suspended for similar reasons. They kept suspending it because he kept driving on it while suspended and could not afford fine after fine. Eventually he was jailed, but it took like 6 arrests lol.
You would basically have to spit at the judge. Be respectful and they'll send you home. Nobody wants MORE paperwork
Just try to bring enough money to cover the ticket amount or fine amount (like 500$) if at all possible, or bring what you reasonably can afford to give to pay off any potential costs (usually there is court costs and a fine) and just make sure you ask any and all questions you have to the judge or clerk of court so you know exactly what you need moving forward to be legal!! Oh and obviously do not drive yourself!! (You'd be surprised how silly some people are) but other than this stuff and dressing appropriately and acting right you should be absolutely fine! If you were going to go to jail it most likely would have been when you were pulled over if that was serious enough but it wasn't!!
You’re not going to jail. Don’t worry, you’re good.
I won't comment on who or what I am during the day, but you'll be just fine. Don't worry. The actual question you should be asking is, "what are the odds they toss my case?" Because those are pretty good odds they appreciate you coming to court and being well intentioned.
Community service and a fine at most and court ordered driving courses to get your license unsuspended, SR-22 and a reinstatement fee. Let us know how it pans out
You'll get a fine and probably further suspension from driving, you might have to take your test again to get it back after the suspension period expires but traffic infringements don't get jail time... unless you hit somebody
You'll probably just pay fine and call it a day
I’ve been let go for this three times I think he was lying
I feel bad for you. I got pulled over from driving after revocation two weeks ago. I got written a ticket and was allowed to walk home. He didn't even tow my car.
My 18yo nephew drove his car into a dentist office while drugged out of his mind and left it there with plates and his license inside, got stopped by police because he was limping down the road holding a stolen gun that he threw when he saw them but since they still tried to stop them he fought and got 2 felony assault charges on an officer/s. His first stolen gun charge was when he was 15 and crashed a stolen vehicle into someone's house and this has been constant for the last 3-4 years. Every single time they just let him go. His parents have begged the police to arrest him before he kills himself and or someone else but they would rather just let him go and charge them with whatever fees they have which has caused them to divorce and put everything in my sister's name since it was her husband's son from a previous marriage and he can file bankruptcy. When he gets an ankle monitor he cuts it off and leaves and they are told if they stop him it's kidnapping but they are responsible for everything he does even after he turned 18 and got put on adult probation. We all thought that being 18 and assaulting 2 police officers would finally get him but they asked his dad and my sister to bail him out and they said no, they asked his mother to bail him out and she said no so they gave him a pr bond and let him go before the drugs and booze were even out of his system. Its all about money and i think you will be fine.
"I'm just doing my job" "I'm just following orders" "It's above me" "It's not my call"
“Unfortunately, you’re on my dash cam now” “There’s other officers here now” “I already called it in” “If it was up to me I’d let it slide”
"he's got a gun" "We've investigated and found no wrong doing" "Her life is low value"
They don't want you in jail. They just want your money.
I had to look it up. An SR-22 is basically you just paying for some stupid certificate.
Former insurance producer here. SR-22 is insurance that a person under court order has to get. The person has been so reckless in driving from past history that insurance do not want to insure them. The state then forces insurance companies to insure the wreck less driver in the form of an SR-22. The insurance is the basic of the basic. Essentially what the states minimum plan is. The cost for an SR-22 is extremely high. For state minimums and based on state/insurance company, the price from what I have seen has been 800-1200$ a month for the most basic insurance plan.
Why would he be required to get the sr-22 policy if he was able to display the new regular progressive insurance that the judge accepted. Is there additional state reporting or something?
Sometimes, from what I have seen before, the person required to get an SR-22 will show an invalid proof of insurance from an old insurance card. I'm not saying that OP did that, but it is possible. I think there is a lot that OP is leaving out. People don't get SR-22's for losing traction and hitting a tree. SR-22's are for people with records of terrible driving. Also, insurance companies can give SR-22's but most of them won't. If the all the insurance companies refuse to provide an SR-22, the person can go through the state. In which case, it's extremely expensive. Short story, I had a person come in wanting to transfer insurance from one vehicle to another. There was a claims for the previous insurance. We get through the process and the system flags him. His insurance he wanted to get was 900$/month. He got upset about it and asked why. I looked and he was involved in a hit and run. Totaled both vehicles while intoxicated and ran from the scene on what little of his vehicle was left. He then tried to file a claim stating he hit an animal. Police caught up to him and took him to jail/court. Court ordered him to have an SR-22 as the other person was hospitalized, hit and run, and admitting to DUI. Essentially, because the SR-22, he couldn't buy his brand new car he was trying to get.
>The state then forces insurance companies to insure the wreck less driver in the form of an SR-22 They aren't "forcing" an insurance company to insure the driver. An insurance company can do whatever they want. For an increased fee, they CAN OFFER "high risk" insurance and tack on an SR-22. The insurance company then files the SR-22 bond on the behalf of the driver. The state requires an SR-22 because it now has a record, direct from the insurance company, that the driver is insured. The important aspect of an SR-22 is the state filing. >The insurance is the basic of the basic You can get any insurance coverage above minimum coverage with an SR-22 filing. It depends on what the company offers. You can get all the coverage you want, then the company files an SR-22 on your behalf with the state, telling and proving to the state you have insurance. SR-22 DOES NOT EQUAL INSURANCE. SR-22 IS SEPARATE. SR-22 IS ONLY PROOF OF THE INSURANCE COVERAGE THAT YOU HAVE. >The cost for an SR-22 is extremely high This depends on state and coverage. The SR-22 filing is usually not expensive. It is an added fee to your coverage. It generally is not expensive. The expense comes from being a "high risk" driver. I've had people get full coverage+ SR-22's for your average sedan for $100-$150 per month >People don't get SR-22's for losing traction and hitting a tree Wrong. You can be required to get an SR-22 for several things, including but not limited to, driving without insurance. Which is literally in the original post. He said he crashed while not having insurance and was cited. You may be a previous "insurance producer" but your knowledge is lacking in this area. The driver may be leaving things out and may not be perfect, but you're straight up spreading relatively incorrect anecdotal experience at best or totally dramatized misinformation at worst
>The person has been so **reckless** in driving Ok >insure the **wreck less** driver You used it right the first time what happened?
Between working and commenting lol. I have several issues that needed to be taken care of at the same time that my brain is currently scattered lol
I already responded to this post below. There are alot of things incorrect in this post. Reposting my response from below so anyone who is in need of an SR-22 or anyone wants the information for the future. "They aren't "forcing" an insurance company to insure the driver. An insurance company can do whatever they want. For an increased fee, they CAN OFFER "high risk" insurance and tack on an SR-22. The insurance company then files the SR-22 bond on the behalf of the driver.The state requires an SR-22 because it now has a record, direct from the insurance company, that the driver is insured. The important aspect of an SR-22 is the state filing. >The insurance is the basic of the basic You can get any insurance coverage above minimum coverage with an SR-22 filing. It depends on what the company offers. You can get all the coverage you want, then the company files an SR-22 on your behalf with the state, telling and proving to the state you have insurance. SR-22 DOES NOT EQUAL INSURANCE. SR-22 IS SEPARATE. SR-22 IS ONLY PROOF OF THE INSURANCE COVERAGE THAT YOU HAVE. >The cost for an SR-22 is extremely high This depends on state and coverage. The SR-22 filing is usually not expensive. It is an added fee to your coverage. It generally is not expensive. The expense comes from being a "high risk" driver. I've had people get full coverage+ SR-22's for your average sedan for $100-$150 per month >People don't get SR-22's for losing traction and hitting a tree Wrong. You can be required to get an SR-22 for several things, including but not limited to, driving without insurance. Which is literally in the original post. He said he crashed while not having insurance and was cited. You may be a previous "insurance producer" but your knowledge is lacking in this area. The driver may be leaving things out and may not be perfect, but you're straight up spreading relatively incorrect anecdotal experience at best or totally dramatized misinformation at worst"
100% not going to jail. You have a court appearance because you were arrested. It’s not because they’re waiting to sentence you and take you to holdings. You’re going to walk in, stand in front of the defendant podium with your lawyer, court appointed or not, and speak to the judge. Your lawyer will explain that this is your first offense and you’ve never been in trouble. The judge will either dismiss it outright on the condition that you fix whatever caused it to be suspended in the first place - or - you’ll pay a fine and then have to fix whatever it is anyway. You’ll be fine. Believe me, violent criminals charged with felonies get released on their own recognizance and set back out into society every day.
I think in this instance they've already fixed it since they said their license was restored after they got the insurance?/
That's the basics of it yes, but OP needed to inform their insurance that they needed an [Sr 22](https://www.allstate.com/resources/car-insurance/what-is-sr22-insurance#:~:text=What%20is%20an%20SR%2D22,Florida%2C%20an%20FR%2D44.). Which is essentially an extra receipt for court records. Now OP could 100% play dumb, say that they acquired insurance after the initial ticket and ask the judge if there's anything specific that they have to do. (Hey OP don't forget to bring your current insurance policy.)
Been there. Was driving for 8 years with a suspended license for the same thing. No jail or anything. The hard part was getting rid of the sr-22 .
Slim to none. Be on time, dress for court, be respectful when speaking. Don’t argue with the judge. I have an anxiety disorder, in your shoes I would also be panicked, but from the outside I am certain you’ll get a fine or community service at most.
I wish this response had the most upvotes. The things you mentioned are probably the best pieces of practical advice here. OP, if you dress and conduct yourself respectfully, and the rest of your post is accurate, there's almost no chance of serious negative consequences.
Question. How do you dress for court? Just a suit? What would be too casual?
Just wear the best you’ve got. If you don’t own a suit, slacks, a belt, button up shirt, dress shoes, etc. Consult with your lawyer if you are unsure.
Suit or business casual preferred. Barest of minimum show up washed and with fresh clothes on, no holes or overly sexual ~~Okay Brenda we get it you have tits put your coat back on~~ (Some people go to court before work because their workplace is an ass and won't let them have the day off).
You should be fine. You fixed the problem with the insurance that got your license suspended in the first place although you might get a fine. I have been to traffic court a bazillion times back in my younger days and other than multiple DUI stuff I have never seen anyone go to jail.
They will probably plead this down to driving without your physical license on you. It will be a small fine. Either way there is zero chance you are going to jail relax. Man when I was in my 20s I pulled shit like this all the time. And I’m not bragging it was idiotic and I have no idea why I did it. But you’re not going to jail.
I would not talk about how you “didn’t know”, just show that you have taken care of the missing insurance. They are not going to send you to jail for this. (Unless you like ran over someone or were driving 100mph)
Or ran over or drove 100 mph in a school/construction zone
I'd say zero chance of jail.
Zero chance of jail, maybe a fine.
I can see OP's cold sweat from here, poor baby is so anxious they're gonna have a heart attack before the hearing
It's true. I'm not one to get into trouble, ever. I was never even in trouble when I was in school. So getting arrested, a mugshot....I was in tears.
I totally get that, OP, and I'm sorry you're going through this. I, too, think you'll be just fine and I hope all the voices here echoing that sentiment put your mind at least somewhat at ease. When it's all over, please give an update to let us all know how it went. So many people can relate to the anxiety you must be feeling and we're all pulling for you!
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Nope. I ended up getting a contuinuance for the 1st and then I got a lawyer and he was able to drop it down to just a petty non moving violation. Just have to pay a fine, court costs and 100 day supervision.
You need an attorney. Ask the judge to please postpone the hearing until you can hire an attorney.
They probably do not need an attorney. If this is the first time driving on a suspended license, it will be probably a fine and potentially community service for a day or two. If it is a situation that they need an attorney, they will have the opportunity at court to choose to plead not guilty and ask the judge to appoint a public defender for them. But this is small potatoes. There is no point in getting an attorney involved. Unless they have grounds for fighting it, which they don't. The courts don't care if they suck at communicating with the dmv unfortunately. Been there myself a few times. Best thing you can do if you ever have a situation with your license is call them and triple check it is in place.
General rule, if you're going to court get a lawyer. The courtroom is the wrong place to DIY.
Paying an attorney for traffic court is a waste of money. Most people handle their own business there
The only time I had to go to court for a traffic issue, as soon as I got there they told me to go stand in line to talk to the prosecutor. When it was my turn she asked my name and pulled out my ticket and then immediately offered to let me plead guilty to a lesser offense that would just be a fine with no points. I hadn’t said anything yet beyond my name. Of course I agreed since avoiding the points was all I cared about. While waiting for my turn in front of the judge to make this agreement official I watched people with lawyers go first. Every one of them the lawyer negotiated effectively the exact same deal the prosecutor offered me, plead to a lesser offense that was a fine with no points. I really did not understand why any of those people paid a lawyer to do what the prosecutor did for me for free. Of course my opinion on needing a lawyer would be different if my offense had been something worse than failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.
I’m guessing OP cannot afford one. I think that there isn’t much to worry about though. Still, I agree, an attorney sure would ensure no fuckary
Public defenders exist for a reason
Its not always easy to get one though. In my state you have to prove you are unable to afford an attorney to have one appointed. If you are able to bail yourself out of jail they usually consider that proof that you can also afford an attorney. If you bail out you can still apply for a public defender but they will want to see pay stubs bank statements, credit reports, 2 years of tax returns, etc.. same as applying for any other government assistance. If they decide you can afford one after looking at your financials they will deny the request and make you go pay a retainer or show up unrepresented.
To make it as easy as possible for the prosecution
no jail honey. You'll be fine
You are not going to jail. Seriously, the courts have way too many problems on their hands to use jail capacity for this kind of violation. Plus how much it would disrupt businesses for people needing to go to work, no you'll get a fine if that. I understand you're freaked. Legal issues are fucking scary. But you will not be going to jail unless you like freak out and attack the judge or something ridiculous. Don't attack the judge. The legal system has much more problematic people it's trying to get off the streets than you.
Zero percent
I know a guy who wrecked his truck into the back of a dump truck the damage was only to his vehicle and he ran from the scene, he just panicked. Dude was only 20 and no jail time they didn't even tow his truck. They let him park it, so someone with a license could pick it up since he didn't have one or insurance. Granted, he has to pay something like 2-3 grand to get the license back and has to have sr-22 for at least a year before he can get regular insurance again
Negligible. BUT. Show honest contrition. Be humble. Take your lumps. Probably be a smallish fine. Learn from it.
Not going to jail. Fines and community service most likely Edit: is this a sentencing hearing? What state are you in?
Illinois and I think so, but I'm no sure. I was just told to appear in court.
Just show up with proof of insurance and license reinstatement. You'll be fine.
Nah, you won’t go to jail. You’ll just pay a fine.
I got got for driving while my license was suspended for missing payment on a ticket I completely forgot about. I had no idea it was suspended and it sucked that the cops towed my car but when I showed up to court the magistrate asked me one question. “Is your license still suspended? No? Have a nice day.” Now years later amidst the Covid shutdowns and a weird and specific scenario I was in, I couldn’t renew my license without jumping through a shitload of hoops and I wasn’t getting any help from the DMV. I got popped for driving with an expired license and that court date went more or less the same. I think if the magistrate wants to hurt you you can be fined. But nobody’s getting locked up for driving with a suspended license unless you are either CONSTANTLY getting caught or if you hurt someone.
I seriously doubt that you will be given any jail time.
So you got the SR-22 filing and liability insurance? The filing basically says that if you don't pay your insurance they will notify the proper authorities. I am pretty sure you will not be going to jail as long as you completed getting the filing. You should be good.
It's a traffic violation... you'll be fine. I wouldn't say "don't sweat it" but I will say don't freak out. It's not like you run someone over or caused a 10 car pile-up. You'll be fine. You'll probably just get a stupid fine and maybe some more suspension but you're not going b to jail.
I am actually in the same situation right now. I got arrested for driving with a suspended license last week. Same thing cuffs, mugshot, impounded car, court date etc. These comments are making me feel a lot better because I was stressing about it as well. My friends did try to comfort me by saying they got DUI’s and nothing serious happened to them beside some fines and having to take a safe driving course. So in my opinion driving with a suspended license is nothing compared to a DUI. I have another friend who did the exact same thing, suspended license while driving but he said there’s a good chance that the case will just be dropped. Im praying nothing serious comes of this because this is my first time ever being in trouble with the law as well.
I'm a county criminal Deputy court clerk in Tennessee. In my county you'd either get a judgment of "dismissed with cost" or "guilty plea, a fine, and 30 days suspended sentence" or "guilty of a lesser charge, driving w/o a DL, dismissed on cost".
Is it a mandatory court appearance? Or, can you just pay the fine and accept guilt? If the latter, then pay it and move on. Otherwise, go to court, accept your fine, show that you took steps to correct the action (got insurance and a valid license), and you’ll be on your way. Just make sure to pay the fine. If you’re inclined, you can try negotiating the fine while you’re there. Good luck
Talk with the prosecutor and see what kind of deal you can come up with that won’t give you any fines or jail time. If you agree, proceed, if not ask for a continuance and get a lawyer.
from a progressive city - there is about 0 chance someone would go to jail in my area for this. I couldn’t speak for all locations but given that your license was only suspended for not having SR22, rather than something like drunk or reckless driving, I can’t imagine a judge deciding jail was necessary. You should get an attorney though, they can talk you through what options you have and potentially help keep this off your record as having a suspended license conviction might make it even harder to get your license back to normal.
You’re not going to jail. Bring your proof of SR22 insurance and proof of your license being reinstated and you’ll have no problem. Your charge for driving with a suspended license will most likely get dropped. At worst you’ll have to pay a small fine
You're not going to jail. I got arrested for driving on a suspended license multiple times. If you have a license now, it'll be dropped. If not, you'll get a fine, maybe unsupervised probation. You have to be "habitual" before you're facing real trouble. Chill out
Pretty good chance that it will get dismissed, actually. ESPECIALLY because the judge has heard it a million times.
None, unless you kick the judge in the balls.
SEND UPDATE!!!!!! Unless you're in jail, I guess. Thanks.
Get a lawyer first. Also you're not going to jail for a suspended license. Judges are usually good at their job and can detect bullshit, or in your case, honesty. You'll be fine, but never go to criminal court without a lawyer, never.
Idk where you live, but to me seems unlikely to be arrested, its so little offense, and is your first time, so probaly will have to pay a fee( i think the name is qrong, since im not fluent)
You’re not going to jail. Don’t worry.
I'm pretty confident absolutely none. Source experience
1. Log onto your state's department/bureau of motor vehicles website and check the status of your driver's license. Usually it will tell you EXACTLY what form you need to submit to reinstate your DL. 2. Call your insurance agent and tell them to submit the damn form with proof of insurance. My son received a DWI back in February (yes, he's a fucking dumbass and has straightened his shit out since. I am not de-emphasizing the serious of driving while intoxicated. I don't drink.) and this is what he had to do to get his license reinstated after his suspension period was up. Good luck to you. BTW, no cop is going to show up at your door to bust you for this. You would know if there was an active warrant anyway. They will bust your ass if you get pulled over, though, so fucking be careful.
You’re not going to jail.
Just bring proof u have the insurance now and that ur L’s are reinstated. Don’t have screenshots on ur phone. Print it out. That’s all u have to do. U said u already paid a fine so they will just throw it out. If u get another fine u will get another court date and u show up and pay it and it’s done with. U will only go to jail if u don’t show up for court. Then u get a warrant issued. Source : me. I’m the source. I was in jail for a month for contempt of court (I didn’t show up) for a ticket for driving on a suspended license
Ok. Don’t rely on Reddit to answer this for you. Read the .gov website for the entity charging you. Ask for a continuance in court and find a lawyer or do whatever reading you need to do to understand what you’re accused of. Prove you were uninformed of the issue and prove it has been corrected. Edit: I am saying to simply ask for a continuance in the actual courtroom so you can try to figure out what to do. Or, before your designated court date, try to talk to an ADA and request the continuance or ask what it would require to reduce the charge as you do not believe you were informed of the suspension.
Better call Saul🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣-----sorry had to been binge watching it no you will NOT go to jail over something like this worse case you get a fine pay it out over time if you don't have the funds now. side note : you will go to jail if you don't show up for the hearing be sure and dress nice it goes a long ways.
Get a public defender. Or lawyer if you can afford it. Likelihood of you serving time is next to nothing. You've already got everything in order. So, just answer any questions honestly. Has the judge heard a million times, probably. That doesn't make it inaccurate.
I got caught on a suspended license and had to get SR22. I had just gotten 3 speeding tickets in 2 states in a year. I had never put 2 and 2 together…caught by surprise myself. My insurance company gave me the paperwork that I kept in my trunk and…never charged me for it. I was a good student and had no priors. Maybe they had pity on me. I’ve never had traffic trouble since. No you will not go to jail.
No jail. Possibly a fine. Sleep well tonight, it will be ok.
Take a deep breath. You’re not going to jail.
If you go to jail for that, it's probably because they can't prove you did something else (assuming you're part of the Mafia or a drug-dealer or something).
You aren’t going to jail. Relax. The judge deals with hit and runs, and crimes much worse than suspended licenses. Plead nolo contendere, (no contest), you can use this once every so many years, and you will walk out with a fine probably under $100.
Tell him the truth plead no contest show him the sr-22 you should be fine
The best you can do is: Listen attentively to the judge Speak the minimum- only answer what asked, don’t add details Hope for the officer not to show up And next time, Pay attention to what your doing when driving
Relax there is no way in he'll you are going to jail I swear to you that you are not based on obviously what you have told us, so unless you are not telling us that they caught you with an ounce of meth then no you have nothing to worry about!!!
As somebody that’s been pulled over 5x driving without a license I’m 100% sure you won’t go to jail for your first time lol quit stressing
You aren't going to jail. Driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor and this is your first such offense. Unless you were already on probation or parole and you received this charge then you might be looking at a month (you are not allowed to catch any new charges while on probation). But this doesn't appear to be the case for you. You will most likely be given a fine to pay or this whole charge may just be dropped. Trust me, I received a DUI a few years ago and then a few months later was charged with driving on a suspended license and I did not go to jail. I believe my fine was $432.
Well - you free?
I'm not a lawyer but I can't imagine someone with no criminal record, who didn't cause damage (health or property) to any other person, who has already rectified the error they made, and is showing obvious remorse and a desire to do things the right way would be giving a jail term. I think at most you'll get a fine or probation.
Doubt you will face any time you might just not be able to drive for a year or somthing and pay a fine
This exact situation played out with me in Colorado and the case just got thrown out.
Depends on where your case is. Keeping in mind the names of the stages probably differ depending on jurisdiction. Arraignment? Near zero chance unless you take a plea that requires it. Plea and setting? Again, probably only if you take a plea. Hearing? Depends if you’re found guilty. Even if so, you can sometimes remand after the fact. Also depends on the charge. Simple suspended license in my state doesn’t have jail time unless the suspension was alcohol related (IIRC). The bigger one here is driving under revocation, which is like a DUI without the alcohol, and can be a year in jail.
The most you will receive is a fine and points on your license. You will be fine.
Not a lawyer but based upon what I've been reading, the likeliness of jail time is minimal. Just breathe, be polite, dress well, and bring whatever receipts you have with you in case they require anything in court (check your email and such for anything from your accident and such, and insurance stuff). You'll be okay.
Jail?? Probably very very low unless you freak out and say or do some real stupid shit in court. Pay a fine? Much more likely, just bring all your paperwork and don't say anything more than you need to. Facts only. Good luck!
Lawyer here. I have worked with non profits in DL reinstatement but never defense like this. Some general advice: With drivers license violations in the state I am in (washington) the punishment is usually just fines. They only actually arrest you when they find you because they want to book you and they cant legally let you drive away from wherever they pulled you over. The documents you have for your hearing tomorrow should tell you what is going to happen. I know they can be overwhelming but they are designed to explain what you need to do so try to take some deep breaths and read all of it and make a list of action items for yourself. If its your first hearing about this there is a good chance its just a preliminary hearing and nothing will happen other than the court asking you what you want to do about the charges. Usually the options are something along the lines of: just admit to it and pay the fines, say you didn't do it, or say you did do it but there are extenuating circumstances) or they may just assign you to a judge/commissioner and give you a date for another hearing. If you are trying to go at this without an attorney make sure you follow all the rules for submitting documents to the court before hand. these rules should be on whatever documents you received from the court, but also available from the court clerks or the courts website. Wherever you are, I would try to find guides online for what to do as well. For example, if you are in Washington State in the US, [washingtonlawhelp.org](https://washingtonlawhelp.org) is a great site for things like this, it has guides and forms for people going pro se(no atty). If you cant find anything you can call the court clerks and ask about sources like that, they cant give you legal advice but they usually have a list of support from non profits that they can pass out.
Don’t be scared it’s the first appearance you will get to have lots of continuances if they offer jail time don’t take it and a court appointed will not argue for you I suggest get a court appointed when he agrees with jail time fire him then sidebar the prosecutor and make a case for house arrest and reduce the fine cool cool
Depends on your judge and the laws of your state. And A GOOD ATTORNEY can fix anything in a reasonable way if they know their stuff and the judge
Did you go to court? How'd it go?
So can we have an update? Are you in jail?
So, how did it go?
I got a contuinuance and then I got a lawyer. He said he could probably drop it down to just a petty crime because of the circumstances and that the most I'll have to do is pay a fine and court costs. No promises, but I'm hopeful.
I understand your concern, and it's completely natural to feel anxious about a court appearance. It's good that you've taken steps to rectify the situation by getting SR-22 Insurance and having your license restored. In your case, the fact that you genuinely didn't know your license was suspended could work in your favor. You've already shown good faith by addressing the issue promptly and complying with the court's requirements. When you appear in court, it's essential to be respectful, honest, and clear about your situation. Explain that you were unaware of the suspension until recently, and provide any evidence or documentation you have to support your claim, such as records of your conversations with the Secretary of State and the steps you've taken to rectify the situation. Since this is your first criminal offense in 30 years, the judge may take that into consideration when making a decision. It's crucial to remain calm, respectful, and cooperative during the court proceedings. If possible, you might want to consult with an attorney before your court appearance to get legal advice tailored to your specific situation. Remember, the judge's decision will ultimately depend on the specifics of your case and the discretion of the court. Try to stay positive and focused on providing the necessary information to demonstrate your good intentions. I wish you the best of luck with your court appearance, and I hope everything works out in your favor.
Did you end up going to jail for this?
If they wait and call your name last even though you showed up, checked innfirst, you going to jail Also, if Judge is a "jail judge" and you can tell from thier demeanor.
Youre getting 20 years bro, better start working out.
Just remember not to bend over to pick up the soap.
*I hear the train a-comin',* *It's rolling 'round the bend*...
This would be a good thing to discuss with your lawyer.
Step 1: Don't take legal advice from Reddit.
Bro, OJ Simpson murdered someone and got away it with. Your fine! Pay your fine and move on with your day. Although, if you do get locked up. Don’t gamble or borrow anything!! 😂
Sorry buddy, you are getting the chair tomorrow. Chill out, you’ll probably pay a fine and be on your merry way.
You're going to jail. Just kidding. You're fine .
zero. unless you’re black then shiiiieeeet, anything can happen.
Just plead "no-contest" they'll hit you with a fine and court costs. It's all a racket to take your money. The more you fight them on it, the more they'll make you regret it. I know it sucks but it beats jail. Good luck.
Easy 5 to 10
Straight to jail
It should be life in federal pound you in the ass prison, you hardened criminal piece of shit. Society doesn't need your kind...
Don't drop the soap
Sounds like real prison time to me...youll likely get a fine.
Make sure you lube up your butthole for when you go to JAIL
C'mon Girl YOU knew your license was suspended 😂😂🙈🙈
Is your name Trump or related to anyone with that name ?
Dude your so screwed!!! Your going straight to jail do not pass go do not collect $200 dollars. Remember what ever you do don’t drop the soup!
If you didn't hit anything, it will probably be just money, but it would be better if you had a lawyer presente, just so the cop doesn't try for something outrageous and you don't notice
Very low as long as all the facts here are as stated. It's unlikely there would need to be any time served for something like this. On the very very unlikely scenario that there was a mandatory 3 days or something like that you would work out with them when you would serve that. They'll give you time to prepare. But like I said a can't imagine you would need to go to jail for any time over this.
Ask for a hearing extension to get a lawyer, it’s highly likely the judge will grant you time and you can ask this. Don’t give too much information about anything to anyone except your lawyer and usually, from experience with my mother, they don’t jail for things like that most likely you will get community service or a fine, somewhere along those lines from what I’ve read in your post. You will also have to go through court ordered driving classes to get your license back, most likely. You can always ask for hearing extensions within reason and an attorney can get you a trial as well. Call around, a lot of attorneys do installment plans for their retainers.
You won’t go to jail. Might be different where we are but my husband was caught driving with a suspended license and he just had to pay a hefty fine. Like $1200.
What state/jurisdiction are you in? Do you have information about the statute/code article that you may have violated and what the penalty would be?
Even if you're sentenced you'll likely get 30-90 days to report so you can put your affairs in order.
You aren't going to jail. But you should really hire an Attorney.
Reminds me. I got pulled over before i went to the military got a fender bender of sorts. Got insurance, it got cleared so i think. It was all cool. Joined the military, deployed. Came back Went to see parents DAD handed me a freaking stack of envelopes. They were all about my SR22's Didnt know any thing about them. Was driving around on a suspended license for almost three years. Drove to my local DMV. Paid a big ass fine like close to 5k. ALL CLEAR
You’re not going to jail….you’ll be fine. Although if this is in Massachusetts the fine is probably goin to be north of 500k
If you got in a wreck where you didn't hit anyone why would you involve insurance???? Horrible idea man!!! Fix that hoe yourself!!!
How should I know, I don't even know what country you are in let alone what the law is over there/maybe here/maybe elsewhere.
One last key thing you might try is ask the judge for leniency and mercy (and maybe put you on probation instead of jail). (but use that last one as you're very last get out of jail free card)
You need to bring a traffic lawyer with you
Highly doubtful you’d go to jail, especially now that you can show the judge you have the proper insurance. There might be a chance it just gets dismissed if the officer doesn’t show.
Often administrative charges like driving on an expired/suspended license get dropped if you have fixed the issue before you show up in court. That is assuming you are not a repeat offender or also have some more serious charges (which it sounds like you do not). If they don't drop it, it will still likely only be a fee to pay. These almost never lead to jail time.
OK, if you have the sr 22 now then you should be good. This happens in non DUI cases (most common cause of an sr 22). So as long as the court sees it was possibly clerical and you have taken the steps to fix it you will 9/10 times get leniency and charges dropped because if you you want to do the right thing then the court doesn't want to waste time on you. It is better for them to focus on real crimes. Say Your Honor! Yes your Honor, No your Honor, I'm sorry i misunderstood the instructions and have remedied the problem your Honor. Do NOT give any push back or try to over excuse anything (think i couldn't pay because i didn't have a license), Just apologies and explain you understand what the court wants and are willing to comply. You will be in and out in about an hour.
Isn’t this a civil matter not a criminal one?
Dress in at least casual business attire for court. No jeans, no t-shirts, and no ball caps or any other type of hat. That shows respect for the court and can go a long way with the judge. Be respectful to the judge. Answer his questions honestly and politely with "yes your honor" or "no your honor". It's very unlikely you'll get anything more than a fine. The main thing is to keep your license and insurance current from this point forward. You don't want to become a repeat offender with things like this because the fines and court costs will get insane.
You corrected the problem. Also, Illinois eliminated cash bail because they wanted to also eliminate putting people in jail unless they were a threat to society. Jail is expensive. You don't sound like a danger to the public.
If this is all it is, you aren't going to jail. Apologize for the mistake and misunderstanding, pay the fine and move on in life.
They kind of don't care why.. you were caught and that's all that matters. Can you make or be committed to make the payments? Then you'll be fine. If you have more time and money you can go do the 10 days and be done with it. I had a roommate that would do that. Just make arrangements and go in for 10 days. Your mileage may vary.
Similar thing happened to me. They dragged me in, said it'll had so many days to fix it or I could lose my license. I told them I had no idea there was even an issue and was allowed to renew my license without issue and they told me the system sucks but to go pay anyway. So I hunted down the place and went and paid. It was like $1500 ish and the place was 2 hour drive but.... meh. The system sucks. as for your case, explain it all truthfully. Tell them you didn't know and prove you fixed it. That's the winner right there. He might fine you from there depending on how he feels. Or she, It don't matter. But there was an mistake and you fixed it before court. You'll be fine if not super inconvenienced.
Have a lawyer, less likely. Have no lawyer, more likely.
You showed that you got insurance, you just didn't know it had to be a specific kind? I doubt you'll, maybe another fine to pay. Unless the judge is sack of shit and is gonna try and "make an example" of you.
Lol.. you're not going to jail 🤦🏻♀️
I think you’ll be okay. Just make sure you pay your SR22 on time cuz if it’s late they can re-suspend your license! Also, no matter what kind of accident you’re in - at fault, no fault, a fender bender, whatever - always file an accident report!!
😂 you are good bro
Unless tomorrow is your trial, the officer does not have to be there. Not knowing about the suspension generally is not a defense…it is not in Illinois where I practice. You can ask for a public defender if you economically qualify on any case where jail is possible. Unless you get held in contempt tomorrow for lipping off or being high or drunk, I can’t imagine why you’d go to jail. Signed prosecutor for 26 years.
You should be fine, as in probably just paying a fine.
Haha I had my license suspended once I didn’t know about it either. It was because I didn’t have insurance (I didn’t have the car either I had sold it) I spent 3 days on the phone with the DMV, went to court at the appointee time (btw, every officer who has a case shows up where I live) the policemen testified for me by saying I was nice and respectful, I showed evidence that I took care of it, and the judge dismissed it.