I missed my court date - PLEASE HELP!!!!

[EvillE423]

I got pulled over a while back and got a ticket for no proof of insurance, which I did have by the way but it was two pages and I guess he didn't see the second page and he still wrote me a ticket for no insurance. That's another story, the court date was today and I didn't realize it until after 6:00 this evening and noone was there. I've been having chest pain lately and had a doctors appointment and it just slipped my mind. I go tomorrow to have tests run at 7:00. Is this something I should be worried about? I know they can put a capias out on you and arrest you, but do you think if I go down there tomorrow after my test with proof that I was at the hospital, do you think that I'm safe? I'm freaking out, please someone help!!!!!

[daconkiftador]

Hell no, you better bring enough money to bail out after you turn yourself in tomorrow morning(asap after the tests).

but dont worry you'l be safe its only county.. probably wont even make it to a holding cell if youve got the cash to bail.

[QuickerThanU]

If you missed the date, a warrat was issued for your arrest. If you get pulled over then the cop would have to be a huge d!ck head to take you to jail for a no insurance ticket. Go to the court house early and just have your name put on the docket. See the judge, show proof of insurance and the charge will be dropped and you will have to pay nothing. You dont even need to bring proof that you were in the hospital. No biggie. Ive had to do it plenty times including yesterday.

[Dattebayo]

Make sure the insurance proof you bring shows you were insured during the time the ticket was issued and your current status.

[xX RB Xx]

They didn't put a warrent out for you. If this was the first time you missed court they will re schudule your court date. I would go tomorrow morning or monday to get your new court date. I've missed my court date and the only thing that happens is that they put a judgement on you for the cost of the ticket and then after a weeks time they issue a warrent. It's not instant.

Also, you could of went to the court clerk and showed that you had insurance, if it wasn't manitory that you apear in court.

[C-Kwik]

Technically, you now have a failure to appear. Its probably not going to be a big deal so long as you show up under your own power. Its unlikely they will seek you actively, but most FTA's are brought in by officers if they happened to pull them over for something else and discovered the bench warrant when they run the driver's license.

That said, when you go in, show humility and take responsibility for missing your court date. While you have a pretty good excuse don't force it upon the court. If the judge asks, then offer it, but the image you want to project is that you accept that it was your fault regardless of the reasons.

It probably won't be a big deal for a first FTA offense, but I've seen some judges come down pretty hard on some people. I recall one lady was handcuffed to her chair with the idea that she would be arrested. It was likely to try and scare her into being more attentive to getting her cases handled, but it certainly seemed to have impacted her at the time...she was bawling the entire 3 hours she sat there.

[EvillE423]

I got everything worked out today. I went down there today and showed them my insurance and they dismissed it. There is two pieces of paper stapled together and the dumbass receptionist said, "this still isn't proof of insurance." I said, "there is two pieces stapled together, how hard is it to see the staple in the top of it." At first she was going to make me pay the $139 ticket and I asked her why and that I had valid proof at the time of the ticket and now. But thanks for your help guys!

[Dattebayo]

Good move being a smart-as$ to the receptionist.

Now go stick it to the man! I say you make a flag print from your insurance card and fly it around on your ride.

[Doya]

Good move being a smart-as$ to the receptionist.

Now go stick it to the man! I say you make a flag print from your insurance card and fly it around on your ride.