Q: I have a fine for suspended licence due 08222015. I wont be able to pay on time. I have supervision. Will I lose it?
Got pulled over for being at a lake past hours. My licence was expired and I didnt know that at the time or I wouldnt of been driving to begin with. But thats mostly my fault because I forgot to change my address so I could get any notice letters. I plead guilty and my fine is due on 08/22/2015 of $800. Im having trouble getting money to pay any money on it and have been since the court date. Job issues, baby, housing ect... I have court supervision on it but Im starting to feel like i could get in trouble if i cant pay it on time. What will happen if I cant pay it on time?
A:
Many people can't pay on time. This is not an uncommon occurrence. Traffic fines can be high.
The first thing you should do is make sure you complied with all the other requirements of your court supervision. This could be any community service you had or any order to renew your license. This will go a long ways towards showing that your violation of the supervision was not willful.
Second, if the fine is the only thing, try to pay some of it (preferably half) by the time of the court date and bring a receipt. This may not be possible and I understand that but it helps in keeping court supervision if you show you are making an effort. Alternatively, you can pay small amounts such as $100 a month.
If none of the above are possible given your finances, my recommendation would be to gather your finances and prepare a document detailing your expenses and current sources of income. Prepare to bring that to court on your return date on August 22. Present it to the prosecutor to show that you are having financial difficulty and that it is hard for you to raise the funds. There, you can ask the prosecutor for a reduction in the fine in exchange for things like community service or more time to raise the money and ask for the case to be continued further. If you want to take this option, it would be a good idea to contact the state's attorney's office and ask for the email address of the prosecutor so that you can let them know of the difficulty in paying. Showing diligent intentions to comply but discussing why you haven't will I believe help the prosecutor in going easier on you on the end date. Print off the email conversation as well just so the prosecutor can know about it when you speak to him or her on the 22nd of August.
In the worst case scenario, they can revoke your court supervision and sentence you to a conviction. They can potentially change your fine but I don't foresee this happening.
Hope that helps!
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