What happens if I fail to respond to a Traffic Violation Notice issued via a Photo Enforcement Program??

Question

I live in NV and was alleged to have ran a red light while in CA. I've read on a website that there is a law that requires me to be served personally. The site is photoradarlaw.com and the company they refer to as being the issuing agency is the same agency that sent me the letter I never received.

My question is this. If I never received the letter to begin with and it's now required that they serve me in order to get me to appear, is it reasonable to believe:

A) the cost to serve from one state to another might be too high for them to pursue?

B) If they fail to serve me after multiple attempts, do they discontinue their efforts?

Appreciate any feedback anyone can give.

Answer 1

All but 5 states share information on tickets. California and Nevada aren't of the 5. So your ticket will be mailed to you address your car is registered to. If that isn't a good address and you don't respond to the ticket you will get a warrant issued. Nevada will hold your registration next year. If you still don't take care of it and it gets big enough you will eventually get a warrant high enough to be extradited from Nevada to California. Takes years to get to that but does happen. You can also fight tickets in California by mail if you live more than 100 miles from the court.

Answer 2

If you know there is something out there on you, it is your responsibility to take care of it.  It will not go away.  I would suggest contacting the court house in CA and see what they say.  If they dont have anything on you, then you wouldnt have to worry about it.  But not taking care of a citation of any traffic related issue could result in a warrant for your arrest.

Answer 3

I believe they will hold you to it until you do what you are asked.  

Answer 4

.   You must be served personally.  But if they do serve you, the penalties are higher than if you had just paid the fine.  Pick your poison. In Arizona everyone tries to beat it.  One person said that if you send in a check for more than the cost of the ticket, they never enter it into the system.  Who knows if that is true?  Why would the first person have ever sent in too much?  Seems crazy.

Answer 5

Service is by certified mail, and it is not too expensive.  Under Nevada law, the address you gave to DMV is good service (because it is a crime to move and not notify DMV of your new address).  So, they will send it by mail to that address and as far as the law is concerned, you got it (even if you didn't).