If you sign a traffic ticket, do not put it in your glove box and wait for the court to mail you something! At Traffic Court Pros.com we get many case review requests from people who state:
I got a ticket, but the court never sent me anything. I put it in my glove box and forgot about it. Now my license is suspended!
Of course there is a way to solve this problem. However, technically, when this happens it is the fault of the driver, not the court. Here is the explanation as to why, and tips on how to avoid the common failure to appear suspension.
A traffic ticket is actually known legally as “A Promise to Appear” in court. When an officer gives a driver a citation, he or she writes several things on the ticket: 1) the alleged violation; 2) the drivers identification and address info; and 3) a court date and time (usually at the bottom).
When a driver signs the ticket, he or she is signing an enforceable promise to appear in court. Once a ticket is signed, there is no requirement that the court send you anything (unless they change the date).
| When that date comes around, if the driver does not appear in court, the court will usually add a new charge of “failure to appear on signed promise to appear” to the case (in CA see Vehicle Code section 40508a), and add a drivers license suspension (in CA see Vehicle Code section 40509.5).
If an officer tells you that the court will send you something, do not wait for it. Take the ticket, read it carefully, put the court date on your calendar, and pay attention to it. Make sure your address is correct with the court and DMV at all times. |
Then, if the court does send you a courtesy notice, it will have further instructions on how to pay and admit guilt if you wish, or how to appear in court. But if nothing comes from the court, you must go at the date and time listed on the ticket. Once in court, get written proof that you were there. Do not leave court without proof you were there, even if the court says they have no record of your citation.
By following these simple rules, you can avoid the nightmare of having your license suspended and a failure to appear charge because you missed the court date.
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If you do have the problem of a drivers license suspension because of a failure to appear, there is a way to solve the problem quickly. For more info, visit www.TrafficCourtPros.com and get a Free Attorney Case Review.
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