The Possible Consequences Of Unpaid Traffic Tickets

Unpaid traffic tickets have more consequences than simple monetary damages. Minor infractions can have serious consequences if you ignore the ticket for too long. The first step is often to charge an additional fee, on top of the original fine, for the infraction.

The subsequent consequences can be much more serious. You should never ignore a traffic ticket. If you feel that you cannot afford to pay the ticket, there is always the possibility of fighting it in order to at least get the charge lowered, if not dismissed altogether.

The Consequences You Face for Unpaid Traffic Tickets

Avoiding the consequences of unpaid traffic tickets should be a top priority for you. Paying the ticket online is possible for most tickets and can be done at any time before the court date on the ticket passes.

If the court date has passed, you will not be able to pay the ticket online in most jurisdictions.

Some offenses may require a court appearance, and in this case, it’s important to make your appearance in court.

If you fail to pay your ticket or notify the court that you would like to fight the charges, the following consequences exist:

Increase in Fines and Penalties

Initially, a missed payment may lead to additional fines. Cities make a lot of money from traffic tickets, and a late payment will immediately trigger this additional cost. Missing a court date is considered contempt of court, and the fine is usually $100 but can range up to $250.

A judge could waive this fine if it was a true mistake such as you thought that you were supposed to be in court on Thursday rather than Tuesday, but this is up to the discretion of the judge.

It’s always better to pay the fine or fight your ticket in court than it is to ignore the ticket altogether. Eventually, the legal consequences will catch up with you and the consequences will only be higher.

Arrest Warrant

Failure to appear in court is a serious charge, and while there may be some leniency, it truly depends on the reason for missing the court date. The judge, at the court date missed, can immediately issue a bench warrant against you.

The bench warrant can lead to being arrested and taken to court.

Since the hearing for your case won’t be immediate, you’ll be held in jail until the judge can hear your case. The judge can require you to serve jail time and can also order that you pay additional fees.

License Suspension

Failure to pay your tickets or fight the charges in court can also lead to your license being suspended and/or the DMV may not renew your license when it expires. The consequences at this point are very serious because if you are found to be operating a motor vehicle without a license, it can lead to:

• Significant fines
• Significant penalties
• Up to six months in jail for a first offense

A judge does have the power to waive any jail time and assess a monetary fine, but the facts surrounding your case will decide whether or not this was a viable option. If you caused a fatal accident, for example, the judge is unlikely to waive potential jail time.

You should receive a notice that alerts you to your license being suspended. If you’ve yet to receive this notice, chances are that your license is still valid, and you have time to remedy the situation.

The DMV should tell you what tickets need to resolved to get your license back.

You may also have your vehicle towed away, but it is far more common to have your vehicle immobilized. The practice of booting is rising in popularity in Louisiana because it’s an effective way to get people to take care of their unpaid traffic tickets.

Contest a Ticket to Lower Fines

When a payment isn’t received before the court date, the court will assume that you’re pleading not guilty. You will, in this case, be required to appear in court on the day listed on the ticket.

The officer that gave you the ticket will also have to appear in court on this day for certain violations.

Hiring an attorney is a great option if you decide to fight your ticket in court. An attorney will represent you in court, request a contested hearing, and negotiate with the prosecutor to have the charges reduced or dropped. Whether you decide to hire an attorney or not, however, it is usually still advised to fight the ticket instead of simply accepting it as is.

When you have an attorney on your side, you’ll minimize the damages done by not paying your tickets. Reach out today for a free consultation.