Speeding Ticket in California - advice please | FerrariChat
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Speeding Ticket in California - advice please

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by GreigM, Mar 31, 2008.

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  1. GreigM

    GreigM Rookie

    Jun 18, 2007
    47
    Hamilton, Scotland
    #1 GreigM, Mar 31, 2008
    So on vacation today in California I got caught being more than a small amount over the limit (84 in a 55)....stupid I know, but I was literally the only car visible in front or behind on the longest, straightest, most open road you can imagine....however, caught I was and guilty I am...

    now...the twist...I'm from the UK, have a UK address and a UK license. The Officer gave me my copy of a ticket with a date to appear at court of 2nd May, however given I'll no longer be in the USA at that time he said to simply phone the court in a couple of weeks and they'll deal with it by phone somehow and that it was a minor infraction and "not a big deal". So what is the likely outcome of the conversation with the court? I assume they'll ask me to pay a fine - anyone any idea roughly how much? Do you think they'll take credit cards (as I obviously don't have a $ check facility)?

    My other option I suppose is to simply ignore it - although I do travel to the US on business frequently (mostly NY area, never California) and may at some point want to apply for Permanent Residency, so don't want to do anything which would affect either travelling or applying for a visa....any advice?
     
  2. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 15, 2006
    28,633
    Phoenix
    Full Name:
    AG
    #2 agup48, Mar 31, 2008
    Sorry, I don't have an answer, but you might want to have a mod move your post to the California section to get some better answers. Good luck
     
  3. JLP

    JLP Formula Junior

    Aug 18, 2006
    659
    Bay Area, Ca
    #3 JLP, Mar 31, 2008
    Under 90 MPH should just be a fine, or get one of those "traffic lawyers" and let them deal with for a small fee. Whatever you do don't forget about it, deal with it now, its no big deal.
     
  4. Aureus

    Aureus Formula 3

    Mar 8, 2004
    2,126
    Louisiana,California
    #4 Aureus, Apr 1, 2008
    You'll most likely be able to dial the court, punch in the ticket number and pay it via credit card all without ever talking to human.

    Some legal stuff will happen behind the scenes when you don't show up to court but it amounts to you pleading guilty and paying the fine.
     
  5. js430

    js430 Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2005
    373
    Seattle
    Full Name:
    Jerry Kahane
    #5 js430, Apr 1, 2008
    Just call the court and they will tell you the fine amount. Pay it. Done.

    Before 9-11, I would have told you to ignore the fine, as my friends from the UK routinely did (there are a couple of tickets hanging on a pub wall in Walthamstow). Nowadays, failure to pay for things like this can lead to you being led off in handcuffs once you land on US soil. And being extradited from NY to CA for a simple thing like this could eliminate any chance of you ever being allowed to enter the US again, let alone being granted permanent residency.

    If the officer has transposed your name or misspelt it in any way, go ahead and ignore it. Otherwise, pay it.
     
  6. GreigM

    GreigM Rookie

    Jun 18, 2007
    47
    Hamilton, Scotland
    #6 GreigM, Apr 1, 2008
    thanks guys - yes my preferred option would be to simply pay whatever the fine is by credit card over the phone and its all dealt with - I'm not looking to avoid the ticket - more make it go away as cleanly as possible...I'll call in a couple of weeks and find out what they want me to pay...
     
  7. mksu19

    mksu19 Formula 3

    Jan 4, 2008
    1,864
    LAX / YVR / MNL
    Full Name:
    Capt. K. Banzon
    #7 mksu19, Apr 1, 2008
    DON'T SPEED IN CALIFORNIA!!! :D
     
  8. GreigM

    GreigM Rookie

    Jun 18, 2007
    47
    Hamilton, Scotland
    #8 GreigM, Apr 22, 2008
    Just to finish the thread - called the automated system today and paid the fine - $392.95...at least it doesn't affect my insurance etc....
     

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