Am I going to go to jail?

Question

Okay, I got a speeding ticket in New York. I'm from Massachusetts. So.. I was given this huge long letter and I had to sign guilty or not guilty. I meant to sign guilty but apparantly I signed not guilty and the court gave me a trial date.

There's NOO way I can make the date. My car wouldn't even make it to New York, I have work, and I can't afford the gas.

I wrote them a letter because you have to write a letter if you can't make it or whatever.

HOWEVERRRR.. they need to receive the letter within three business days of the trial date.

The court is going to receive it the day before the trial date. It says on the paper I got no exceptions, but there's noo way I can make it to New York.

Do you think they'll accept my letter the day before? Or am I going to get like arrested for not showing up in court.

I mean, I DID write a letter. It's just not going to get there within three business days......

Answer 1

You didn't say what jurisdiction you were in, so I am just going on the state laws.

The failure to mail the letter on time, involves the process procedure.  Who ever you sent the letter to is who you need to talk to.  If it was state, then call the staties, or troopers.  If it was in a municipal, or county, it will be much easier to handle.  Contact that agency immediately.  Let them know you received a letter, and that you have mailed your own.  Tell them from step one, you are pleading guilty, and paying the fine.

They won't knock on your door, for a ticket. it would be for the failure to show, or contempt of court.  The last thing you need on your record, going to college, is some problem to pop up down the road about a ticket, that could have been handled.  Because if you are planning to go into any field that requires, a back ground check, department of justice check, or credit check it could pop up with a bunch of fines behind it.  Get it taken care of TODAY!

Answer 2

Heyyyy, don't worry about going to jail because the court did say within {count em}

three business days. The operative word is "within" three business days and one day is definitely "within" three business days so just wait on a reply for an alternative date or an alternative way to handle the situation. You're not going to jail, but you have to watch out for those New York police cause they have been known to take you in the back of the court room and slap the cowboy S**t out of you for getting a ticket in the first place.....

Answer 3

If they don't get your letter in time you'll be found guilty and be notified of your fine. If they get it, are you telling them you're guilty? Or just telling them you can't make it? if it's the latter, I don't know the state's policy.

Answer 4

what was the point of copy and pasting it?

I would call the courthouse handling it and tell them the situation....you may get a warrant for failure to appear you may not

Answer 5

car isn't the only way of transport, catch a train or get a friend to take you

Answer 6

although you did send it, it wasnt it the time limit given so there will most likely be a warrant out for failure to show up. you should probably contact a lawyer. you know in some cases lawyers can represent you even if your not there.

Answer 7

With a failure to appear @ court they will automatically consider you guilty and they may increase the fine and give you a certain amount of days untill you can pay it....I know it sucks, but it could be worst trust me......Good Luck....♥

Answer 8

Just get money from the bank to be on the safe side

money to get there

Answer 9

That is a cluster ,you know what.

Don't worry ,they will receive your letter.Even if it's a day late.

You are covered.

Don't worry,a warrant will not be issued.

Answer 10

Ring them up and ask if they will accept a faxed copy of the letter with your signature on. Explain your situation.  Include evidence of sending the letter, if you have it.

Consider overnight courier of the letter - but that might be out of your budget.

Ring them up and ask if you can have your letter scanned and then send it to them electronically

Scanning and faxing can both be done through a secretarial service and should cost less than $20 - you will only need to do one, not both.

Answer 11

The funny thing about your tale is that you admit you received the notice.   You next say you mistakenly signed not guilty.

Lets imagine it was an honest mistake which you did not know  until the notice to appear in court arrived.  Surly your not suggesting that this notice only allowed a few days before you were due in court.  

What you should have said to us above and I bet the court will come to the same conclusion. You stuffed around doing the reply.  By the time you sent it, it was already late.    

Answer 12

While they will not put you in jail, most states have reciprical agreements.  What they would do is notify your state you failed to appear and are in contempt of court which would result in your license being suspended until the matter was cleared up.  Then you would have to pay re-enstatement fees.

Answer 13

It's unlikely they'll put you in jail or even extradite you for a  speeding ticket.