I know the obvious of being polite and respectful. do I show up early like an airport? Do I just show the guard my ticket? Anything I should know or be aware of?
Dress well to show respect for the court.
That’s so fucked up and classiest
Dressing well doesn’t necessarily mean expensive clothes. It means wear something that demonstrates that you take the court seriously. I think you’re telling on yourself here.
Check your privilege. Some people can’t afford more than the torn clothes on their back.Uneless you’re suggesting they should skip more meals of food just to impress some pompas judge?
I didn’t specify the quality of clothing. I specified the intent. If you only have torn clothing, you would wear the least torn.
Youre very out of touch with/poverty. Why do you expect people to have a wardrobe of multiple items of clothes?
Because the majority of people in the USA (where I took this thread to originate based on context) have multiple sets of clothes. Someone who can afford internet and a device to get on Lemmy likely has multiple sets of clothes, even if they are all low-cost or run-down. You’re not convincing me of anything other than you being stubborn.
I didn’t say I’m poor. I’m aware of my privileges. I’m trying to make you aware of yours too
There’s lots of resources online specifically about your state, that will be important, as every state is different.
In one state where I lived, you had the right to transfer moving violations to criminal court (the court for tickets was generally a Justice of the Peace, which is an appointee, so a legal education isn’t required to be one).
Criminal court has higher requirements for everyone involved, so it can be useful for defense purposes. It also costs more, both for the state and for you in court fees (fines will be the same). The advantage is the state is motivated to plea your charge down to clear the docket. I’ve seen this many times, for everything under the sun. But, every state is different.
I assume since you have court it’s because this is your first ticket, and you’re young - not sure why they do that, but it’s not uncommon. I guess they want to put the fear of the legal system in you. Had the opposite effect for me, saw it was just a process, that goes on all day, every day. Later tickets you just pay.
Actually I’m not young. Im 35 but I drive like an old man so never even get tickets much less had to go to court for anything.
I’m assuming my chance of going to jail over this is low but I’m still worried about it. Ive never been to jail and that would cause me to miss work and I need my job.
I don’t know if criminal court would be a better option because I can’t think of something lesser than letting my license expire accidentally.
You aren’t going to go to jail. This is an administrative ticket, you didn’t even do anything wrong like speed or run a stop sign.
A cop giving a ticket for a simple expired license is a dickhead. Don’t say that in court.
Lol what the fuck? Why on earth would anyone get a license if there were no punishment for not having one? Also I assure you that they didn’t get pulled over for having no license; they were breaking another driving law.
I said expired, not suspended. Not the same thing and you know it. Also, he must be doing something wrong or he wouldn’t have been pulled over? Reasoning skills, you lack.
Did you fix the problem? If so, just show that you fixed it and they will probably drop it.
If you haven’t fixed the problem, be prepared to explain yourself.
In any case, be prepared to deal with the fine immediately. Even if you have to use credit. Judges never want to hear that you cannot pay a fine same day.
As far as the logistics: There will be a docket posted. Probably electronic, on TV panels. Find your name and it will show you your courtroom. Go there and check in with the clerk. Ask them what to do, it’s probably, “just have a seat and wait your turn.”
GL, it’s not a big deal for something like an expired license.
There’s no way I can deal with the fime immediately. That’s kind of information is exactly what I was asking about…
I live paycheck to paycheck. I don’t get paid again until next week.
They really expect people to pay the unknown fine immediately?
Yes they do. It’s not a show stopper if you can’t pay, just be honest. “No sir/ma’am, I cannot pay that today as I live paycheck to paycheck. May I set up a payment plan with the clerk?”
Judges see it all the time and really since you don’t have any actual charges there’s nothing they can or will do to you.
