Hartford, CT asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Traffic Tickets for Rhode Island

Q: Can police still issue citation after over a month of not contacting us about incident?

My wife was involved in car accident with no other motor vehicles and did not have proof of insurance at the time of incident and was never cited now after over a month they are trying to fine her is this possible by law?

1 Lawyer Answer

A: I do not have sufficient information to answer this question fully or accurately. I think the answer is not one you will want hear. The Police can issue a citation after over a month, despite not contacting you earlier. You mentioned that this was a single car collision. Did the police arrive at the scene ? Was a report initially filed ? Was there a question regarding insurance coverage ? It is not at all unusual for the police to issue a citation several months after a collision for failure to maintain insurance. The lack of insurance may not have been obvious at the time of the collision. Investigation may have revealed that lack later. There is not specific bar against a subsequent citation in regard to an automobile accident, particularly if the issue is lack of insurance.

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.