Q: UK citizen received speeding ticket with COURT DATE in US, but I'll already have returned home. What should I do?!
I am a UK citizen, currently travelling across the USA for the first time in a hire car rented by Hertz. Earlier today (11 Sept), I was driving in North Carolina (Dare County) and was pulled over by a cop and given a speeding ticket for driving "78mph" in a 55mph zone. Apparently, as the speed I was travelling was above 70mph, the offence automatically goes to court rather than being a simple payable ticket. So, the ticket I have been given lists a court date for mid-October, by which point I will have already left the country and returned to the UK. I said this to the cop at the time, who said I would have to hire a local attorney to attend the court on my behalf.
- If I choose to do nothing in this situation, what will happen? Will they chase me back in the UK for a US speeding offence? Will I be unable to return to the country/state? Will the hire car company chase me as well?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- North Carolina
- (910) 333-9679
- View Profile
- Answered
A: It sounds very much like you want to break our laws and scoot back to the UK without consequence. If so, you likely can as it is highly unlikely the State of North Carolina will bother to hunt you down for a speeding ticket.but doing so would demonstrate incredibly poor character on your part.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
