Q: Can court use 14 years ago offense and tag it on current offense?
Reckless driving offense 14 years ago and settle without points, Now 14 years later got an ticket saying running over Red light. The judge say I have to pay more for second offense. Since i have one 14 years ago. Can they do that!
A: Some tickets like reckless driving have first and 2nd offense penalties. The first offense has up to 60 days in jail and a fine and the 2nd has up to 90 days in jail and a fine. The law unlike in some other statues does not state that the that first offense goes away after so many years, so the judge is right to sentence you as a 2nd time offender. I suggest hiring a good lawyer if you want to have the best chance of winning or reducing the penalties that you face as obviously the judge does not want to give you a break.
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.
