Advice on Failure To Appear In Court

FeelGoodUnInc · #1 11-13-2011, 01:02 PM

hey there fellers...

so a few months ago I was pulled over for a fix it ticket on my rear turn signals (white bulbs) & I was supposed to appear in court to pay my bail amount of $35 on Oct. 17th.

well I know I messed up big time, but during the past few months I've been in the process of moving into a new house & I just had completely forgotten about my appearance. so I went back to the old home address this weekend to pickup my mail and I received a failure to appear in court letter, opened it up as I was pissed off at myself for not remembering... the fine.. from $35 to now to an absurd $898

i'm so furious, I understood I'd be hit with a fine, but adding on a $863 fine?? if I didn't appear for over a year then maybe it's justified but it hasn't even been past a month.

so I'm looking for any help I can receive on this topic.. perhaps I should hire a lawyer.. can anyone refer me to one?
I'm in Los Angeles, CA

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ard · #2 11-13-2011, 03:41 PM

The city of Los Angeles wishes to thank you greatly for you contribution to balancing their budget...

Not sure a lawyer will help much,,on principles, maybe cut a deal where he gets whatever he saves you? Many will take the case for $1000..and say 'sorry, judge was a dick". Maybe appear in court and apologize- with documentary proof you DID move (ie you HAVE notified DMV by now, right????)...Still most courts are told "do your part in the budget crunch"..and they are.

Legal Help, Directories, Articles, and Forums From ExpertLaw Don't ask questions, they are huge dicks...but you can read.

A

PersonaNonGrata · #3 11-13-2011, 07:40 PM

A fix-it-ticket doesn't require a court appearance. The defect must be corrected, the citation signed off by a peace officer, and you can send it back with the $35 and be done with it.

I understand that was what should have been done but hope is not lost. I think what has happened is that the fix-it-ticket went to warrant for your failure to appear (FTA). They added the section for FTA as a new charge which is where that big fine comes from. I would suggest going to the courthouse you were supposed to appear at, go to the traffic window/clerk and ask to be placed on calendar to deal with your FTA. I don't know if they'll require you to post the $898 bail. If you have your original citation and the defect corrected, get it signed off before you go and be prepared to present that and any documentary evidence to explain your FTA. You are not the first person to FTA for traffic court and you won't be the last so the hearing officer will not bat an eye a FTA.

When you get before the traffic hearing officer, you can ask that the FTA be dismissed and you have your signed off citation with you and you would happily pay the $35 now. I'm sure you'll have to explain your reasons. If you're lucky you will get that disposition. Another alternative is that you will have to plead guilty to the FTA but the fine can be reduced significantly. The fine itself is actually not that big but they tack on a "penalty assessment" which is some crazy number per $1 of fine.

I would not bother with a lawyer for this. I think it's something you can handle yourself if you have the time to deal with the clerk. Depending on how busy the court is you might even get yourself on calendar the same day. I would recommend getting there early in case they can squeeze you in.

Good luck!

*This is not legal advice. I just know what has worked for some people.

TerminatorX5 · #4 09-14-2012, 10:06 PM

how did it get resolved?

watrob · #5 09-17-2012, 01:27 AM

Bump

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