What Happens If I Don’t Pay a Ticket From Another State?

Florida is a popular tourist destination, which means the roads are often very busy. For this reason, the state hands out a high percentage of traffic tickets that many drivers take home as an unwanted souvenir.

Many drivers incorrectly assume that if they picked up a ticket in another state, they would not face the same consequences as getting a ticket in their home state. However, most states in the US have entered into an interstate compact and share information regarding traffic tickets for drivers from out-of-state. If you receive a speeding citation for driving over the posted speed limit in another state, there is a high chance that your own state’s DMV will be informed.

If you choose to ignore traffic tickets from another state and don’t pay the fine, you could face further penalties. The ticket will not simply go away. It is in your best interest to seek help from a qualified lawyer who can assist you in settling the matter right away. With a good defense, your attorney may be able to successfully have your fine reduced or even dismissed.

At The Ticket Lawyers in Florida, we understand how stressful being issued with a speeding ticket in another state can be. Our team of knowledgeable lawyers have years of combined experience and handle these types of cases frequently. Contact us today at (866)-985-7740 for a free consultation. Our telephone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so there is always someone available to speak to.

What Happens If I Choose Not to Pay the Fine?

It is common for drivers to choose not to pay a ticket simply because they can not afford to do so. However, this just causes more issues in the future. After being issued with your speeding ticket, you are given 30 days to settle it. You can choose to enter a not-guilty plea, but if you take no action within this time period, you will face increased fines, and the court will pass your case over to collections.

Failing to pay a fine can also result in misdemeanor charges. If you have received a court summons (usually for drivers caught traveling 30 mph or more over the speed limit) and choose to ignore it, you can face “failure to appear” charges, according to Florida Statute 843.15. These charges would lead to license suspension, and the charges would just continue to escalate. If you cannot drive, you may not be able to drive to work, and your financial hardships would only worsen.

The worst-case scenario for choosing not to pay a ticket would be an arrest warrant. This is a rare occurrence but possible if all of your charges add up. For example, drivers who have multiples points on their record, as well as criminal history, could face a warrant for arrest if they ignore traffic tickets.

These consequences are easily avoidable with the help of the right attorney. If for any reason you feel as though you are unable to pay your ticket, call The Ticket Lawyers now before the situation escalates, and we can put your mind at rest.

Should I Pay My Speeding Ticket Without Question?

You should never pay a fine without reviewing the consequences first. However, you should also never ignore it. A speeding ticket attorney can advise you on the best course of action to take. By paying the fine, you are admitting guilt and will have points added to your license. Any points added to your record will cause your insurance rates to increase. You may be forced to take out coverage with a more expensive provider if you are dropped by your insurance company altogether. If you reach the maximum of 12 points, your license will be automatically suspended for a month. This is why your first step after being issued with a ticket should be to consult with a qualified lawyer. It may be possible to have your charges reduced or even dismissed, and in some cases, it is best just to pay it.

Do Unpaid Speeding Tickets Ever Go Away?

Some drivers ignore out of state tickets and assume they have gotten away with it – until they are stopped for another traffic violation or go to renew their license and discover that their license has been suspended. Another state has the power to suspend your license, so this means that you could now be facing charges for driving on a suspended license. Which, according to Florida Statute 322.34, comes with serious penalties, including a fine of up to $500 and 60 days in jail. You would not be able to renew your license until your outstanding fine is settled and would also have to pay a license reinstatement fee. Furthermore, more points would be added to your record, on top of the points for the original speeding ticket.

What Defenses Are Available to Me?

Defenses in a speeding ticket case are usually based on the method used to detect your speed. No speed detection method is without its limitations, and your lawyer will seek to find weaknesses in the evidence against you. For example:

• The officer who issued the ticket had no specialist training – Commonly used radar or laser detection devices must only be used by officers who have had certified training. Your case could be thrown out if the officer who issued your ticket did not have sufficient training.
• The device used was not calibrated and maintained – Speed detection devices are required to be properly calibrated and maintained. If the necessary tests have not been carried out, it can be argued that there is a possibility that it was faulty, your ticket could be dismissed Florida Statute 316.1905. 
• The police officer did not calculate your speed accurately – Any police officers monitoring your speed must do so with complete accuracy. For example, if your speed was calculated by pacing, the officer should have kept a constant distance between themselves and the back of your vehicle for a certain period of time. Any question of the accuracy of the method that was used in your case could be enough to have your ticket dismissed.
• The wrong vehicle was picked up – If there is heavy traffic, which is usually the case on the roads of Florida, it is possible that a mistake was made when a speeding car was targeted. There may not be enough evidence to charge you if there is any doubt that it was actually your vehicle that was driving over the speed limit.
• The bad weather conditions caused incorrect readings – Particularly bad weather can be responsible for incorrect readings, especially when an officer is using a laser or radar device. If there was heavy mist or rain, the laser could have been interfered with, as when light travels from air to water, it changes direction due to the refraction of water upon light.

What If I Am Unable to Attend a Court Hearing Because I Live Out of State? 

Some traffic tickets come with a mandatory court summons, and because it can be difficult for some drivers to get back to the state in which they picked up the fine. For example, if New York is your home state, but you picked up a ticket in the State of Florida, it would mean a long flight back for a court date. This is likely one of the main reasons some drivers choose to ignore traffic tickets.

Luckily, one of our experienced traffic ticket attorneys can help. A traffic ticket attorney from our law firm can appear in court on your behalf.

Contact The Ticket Lawyers Today

A local law firm that has experience in the rules of the road and the laws of the area where you picked up your ticket is invaluable. By having a traffic ticket attorney on your side, you will have the best chance of getting the best results. It’s also a good way of avoiding taking several flights back to Florida to appear in court.

Don’t risk increased insurance rates and expensive fines. Get in touch with The Ticket Lawyers today, and we can offer a free consultation where they can go over the best options available to you. Don’t let the memories of your vacation be tainted with a speeding ticket that haunts you in the long term.

Contact us today at (866)-985-7740 for a free consultation.