Q: I have 4 traffic tickets from 4 years ago right before I went off for college. Now I have warrants what do I do?
A: Much depends upon what infractions are in those tickets. If they are only civil traffic matters, you have probably been defaulted and are responsible to pay them. However, some tickets are actually criminal misdemeanors which are punishable by fees, fines, costs, and depending upon the circumstances and your record, could include jail. Those will need to be addressed and a formal plea entered. You will need to contact the court, determine the actual charges, determine the maximum fines and penalties and find out the Court's procedure to address these If you admit responsibility and pay the civil tickets you can clear those. But if you wait, then the next time you are pulled over, you will be arrested and you'll have to post bail and your vehicle could be impounded. Your best bet is to retain an attorney to work with you. An attorney can contact the court, arrange for a time to address all cases, and talk to the city/prosecuting attorney and work out a negotiated settlement.
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