Q: I got a ticket for going 83 in a 55 zone. The officer said and marked no court appearance required. Now I have to go?
I have already paid the ticket fine and the additional fee for traffic school. Is there anything I can do legally about this situation?
A: The Officer should have never marked this ticket with No Court Appearance Required because it is a misdemeanor offense. The Officer should have given you a court date to appear or told you that one will be mailed to you. This is a Class B Misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and up to $1,500.00 in fines not including mandatory fees and costs. If convicted, this will show up on background checks and cause you issues with employment, education, housing and financing. You need to not only appear in court, you need to hire an attorney to assist you with this matter right away. The sooner you hire an attorney the better.
Brandon K. Davis agrees with this answer
A: It was a mistake by the officer, but does not alleviate the need for you to appear in court. It sounds like you received notice from the officer, police department or Clerk of Court after the fact. Court appearances are required for criminal offenses including aggravated speeding. Of course, the goal is still to keep this off of your record and minimize any additional consequences. Any amount previously paid should be refunded or applied to any resulting fines and court costs. Contact an attorney directly to discuss the best way to proceed.
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