A month ago I got a speeding ticket, in my MINI.

I forgot to pay it, and my court date is tomorrow. Could I show up and simply pay the fine and be ok? There really isn't anything to contest. They wanted the ticket paid before the court date, but I'd guess that if I go and contest it and loose, they'd just have me pay the ticket right there. So paying before I appear before the judge and waste everyone's time is a good thing.

If this changes things, I also have already signed and dated the back the day after the ticket with the intent of simply paying it.

Anyone been in this situation before? I think that as long as they get their money, they will be happy.

I forgot about the ticket because I was caught up in getting ready to graduate, the ceremony for that, the party for that, a small road trip, and job hunting.

 

Not sure what the laws are in your state, but every place I haved lived and recieved a ticket I always fight it. in some states if the officer does not show up the ticket is dismissed, others if you have a clean license they will reduce the charges.
Go to court and see the DA, if you must, pleed gulty with an explanation and maybe they will reduce your points

 

I can't offer legal advice just an obeservation...the explanation you give at the end about Graduation, Party, Road Trip and Job Hunting are all excuses, I wouldn't use them in court.

I might however show up early, pay the ticket, show the judge your receipt. I would think that a warrant wouldn't be issued until after you had missed your court date, not simply after you did not pay the fine.

Thinking that you are and/or should get off simply because you are going to pay the fine is not the right way to think about this. You got nailed for a Traffic Infraction (broke the law), you were accessed a Fine (Dialing for Dollars), you have not paid the Fine (Obsconded with intent), Court Date looming (Jailbird Rock), the Judge (Yes, Sir) could throw the Book at you, increase the Fine with Penalties (Learned your Lesson??!!). It's a wait and see game.

Let us know what happens!!

 

I intend to show up early and simply pay them. I am not trying to get out of this. Thanks for the replies.

 

Just show up, pay it, and when your name is called in court. Just tell the judge that you paid when you got there and didn't mean to take it to trial. The judge will likely say 'have a good day.' And you will be on your way.

 

Yes, show up early for court and ask if you need to pay before. And if officer does not show up, then either you will not have to pay or get money returned. Or you can ask judge for driving school, to keep ticket off record.
They have school online and at Blockbuster Video in some states.

 

Last ticket I recieved (2001) had to go to court, was given the option of traffic school by the Judge. I went to a four hour class, no points provided I did not get a ticket within the next three years.

 

Thanks guys. Looks like I'll be spending the morning at the county court building.

 

You will have to pay the fine plus the court costs. You are already on the court docket. Would have been cheaper to pay it on time, but I'm sure you know that.

 

My ticket already includes the court costs in addition to the fine, it seems.

 

So I just went in today and payed the teller, she then took me off the court docket and all is well.

 

Yay! I have followed this thread and been thinking of you today. It's good to have it behind you and over with, isn't it? If you are like me, you didn't sleep well last night.
Now it's one less thing to worry about.
I'm glad it wasn't a big ordeal.

 

Glad you were able to dodge the bullet.

 

Yes, I certainly dodged a Nerf dart today. (I thought up this clever remark today as I walked back to my car. I meant to use it in my last post but forgot.) Meaning, I could have showed up in court and simply paid then. Had I waited till tomorrow, it would have been bad.

Turns out that they just want the money in their hands before the court appearance, down to the minute, it would seem. The teller gave the idea that this sort of thing happens all the time. She was able to strike me from the court docket easy enough. She had all the tickets for the day there at her window in addition to the court docket.

Thanks for everyone's support.