View Full Version : missing a court date for an Infraction
nazgulnarsil
12-19-2007, 05:36 PM
I received no notice in the mail and my ticket says "must appear" as in I can't pay the fine through the mail.
the problem is I have no way of getting back to San Mateo without breaking the law (ticket was for freeway riding on a permit). I'm supposed to get back there via backroads at 8 in the morning from Marin?
If I don't appear will they just fine me? I'm not contesting the ticket obviously.
the fact that I didn't get a notice in the mail makes me think that I won't get a notice for a fine either, and i don't want an unpaid fine on my driving record obviously.
antarius
12-19-2007, 05:39 PM
In some cases the judge will make a decision in the case and, let's say he finds you guilty (even if you don't show), you will be fined and whatever.
In other cases, the judge can issue a bench warrant for failure to appear.
Either case is not good for you. Contact a lawyer if you need to, or just figure out how to reschedule the court date to something you can actually make.
nazgulnarsil
12-19-2007, 05:40 PM
I've tried contacting them but can't seem to find a number that doesn't go to a robot.
antarius
12-19-2007, 05:43 PM
Read the paperwork you received. There should be an address to send in a request for a continuance, and you can likely get the forms from the San Mateo County court website.
If all else fails, get someone to take you there -- or ride back roads. All options are better than the possibility of an FTA, or your license status being affected due to your non-paying of the citation.
Butch
12-19-2007, 05:45 PM
I have become fond of going there, the one on Humbolt, that is. Really good folks. It is a bit bizzaar.
I actually need to go there tomorrow. If you PM me some details, I'll ask...
Assuming you are talking about the Humbolt location...
gmcsid
12-19-2007, 05:47 PM
Put in your info here and see what it comes up with. You may be able to just pay a fine online or at least get an extension.
https://www.sanmateocourt.org/traffic/
nazgulnarsil
12-19-2007, 05:59 PM
that's just it.
i received NO paperwork in the mail. When i entered my citation number over the phone it just told me I had to appear on or before a certain date.
from ticket assassin it looks like i can request a trial by written declaration and even though i'm guaranteed to not win, I at least don't have to go to court.
the only problem is finding the bail amount i have to send in since i received no notice from the court.
antarius
12-19-2007, 06:01 PM
Try using that link given above, put your citation number in and see what it does....
nazgulnarsil
12-19-2007, 06:10 PM
The search criteria entered did not find a citation in our system.
I finally got the damn robot to give me a number for a human, I can call tomorrow before 4pm.
antarius
12-19-2007, 06:18 PM
If you're lucky, the citation was never filed (perhaps the officer lost it or it got mixed up in the mail) and then it will just... go away!
nazgulnarsil
12-19-2007, 06:25 PM
but i can't risk getting a bench warrant if it did go through. hopefully the phone call will clear it up. :/
this really sucks. hooray for armed tax collectors. i know most police like to think they're serving and protecting but the supreme court has repeatedly ruled that it is not a police officer's job to do either.
nazgulnarsil
12-19-2007, 06:30 PM
I have become fond of going there, the one on Humbolt, that is. Really good folks. It is a bit bizzaar.
I actually need to go there tomorrow. If you PM me some details, I'll ask...
Assuming you are talking about the Humbolt location...
thanks but i have southern branch listed on my ticket.
OldFatGuy
12-19-2007, 06:51 PM
This may sound crazy, but you could just get your M1 license and ride there legally.
nazgulnarsil
12-19-2007, 07:16 PM
DMV has been booked solid. I've been waiting on an M1 appointment for over a month already.
none of this would have happened if the DMV had given me my M1 for passing the MSF course like they said they do. >:(
CnDnMax
12-19-2007, 07:23 PM
try a different dmv maybe. it took 2 min for me to get my M1 just showed the msf paper and my permit and i was out of there.
nazgulnarsil
12-19-2007, 07:59 PM
yeah, that's worth a shot.
try a different dmv maybe. it took 2 min for me to get my M1 just showed the msf paper and my permit and i was out of there.
Seriously. You don't need an appointment...find your nearest DMV, get your ass up early, get there 10 minutes before it opens, get in line, walk up to the teller, say "Hi, i've got my motorcycle permit and i passed the MSF, here's my cert of completion and I'd like to get my motorcycle license." Teller will give you a paper that indicates you have a MC license now, they'll punch your DL, and you're good to go.
That'll probably help the court case too, if you'd like to ask for a reduction or something like that. Good luck! :thumbup
DMV has been booked solid. I've been waiting on an M1 appointment for over a month already.
none of this would have happened if the DMV had given me my M1 for passing the MSF course like they said they do. >:(
They said no such thing. You still have to take the written, just not the riding part. Read the motorcycle handbook and the regular drivers handbook just in case you have to take both tests. The booklets are probably on a table just as you walk into any DMV.
You don't need an appointment. Just go there.
nazgulnarsil
12-21-2007, 10:55 PM
i'm not a moron. i took the written.
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