I got a ticket for an expired tag last month. I put the citation in my glove box so I would have it if I was stopped for the same thing before I got it taken care of.

And I completely forgot about it. Found it today when I was looking for something else.

Any experience with this? Or any idea what i need to do to handle this? I don't think I can get a hold of a lawyer before monday. But any (constructive) input would be appreciated.

7/25/2009 1:05:05 PM

needs moar details

where was the ticket? when was your court date?

7/25/2009 1:33:43 PM

raleigh, court date was 7/13. I've left a message with a few lawyers. But i'd like to know if i can just handle it myself or if it'd be best to hire a lawyer. And an idea of how hard i'm gonna screwed would be nice.

7/25/2009 1:44:25 PM

you should be able to have in continued, just call the clerk of courts office on monday

[Edited on July 25, 2009 at 1:48 PM. Reason : i think there's some paperwork you have to do, but they should be able to tell you]

7/25/2009 1:47:04 PM

Just go to court on Monday. Go to the room on the ground floor that can pull up your case (I don't remember the name or number). In the back they have a missed court date form that you fill out. Basically, it's a form asking for a continuance. Check for your new court date at http://www1.aoc.state.nc.us/www/calendars/CriminalQuery.html.

[Edited on July 25, 2009 at 2:21 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on July 25, 2009 at 2:22 PM. Reason : full link]

7/25/2009 2:21:07 PM

Here's your answer:

(from http://web.co.wake.nc.us/courts/continuances.html)

What if I missed my court date?

If you have missed your court date by more than twenty (20) days, a late fee of $50.00 will be added to the fine and court costs. Additionally, the Division of Motor Vehicles will start the process to suspend your driver's license.

If your personal court appearance was required and you failed to appear on your court date, the court will issue an Order for Arrest. You may also be required to post a bond to insure your appearance in court at a later date.

You may get more information regarding missed court dates by visiting the Clerk's Office Criminal Division, located on the 1st floor of the Wake County Courthouse.

7/25/2009 5:28:13 PM

awesome. Thank you.

7/25/2009 5:30:15 PM

gotta take ya in bra

7/25/2009 7:50:44 PM

i've missed court before for a traffic reason. i think i remember not paying court fees because it was handled outside of court but was done ~10 days after I was a no show. So its possible you will pay less by missing court. Ammmmmmmmmmerica

7/25/2009 8:08:19 PM

^ right on. I just heard back from a lawyer, he says he can make it all go away for $100,. outside of court, as long as I get it done by the 30th. Court costs + fine would have been $146. Moral of the story... if you get cited for an expired registration, don't go to court.

Now, if I had just gotten it inspected and registered right away, I probably could have gone to the magistrate and had it dropped altogether.

7/25/2009 9:04:37 PM

OR you could have just had an up to date registration/inspection in the first place?

7/25/2009 9:13:52 PM

I mean, I GUESS that was an option.

7/25/2009 9:30:14 PM

Cool.

So you had the same experience. You saved money by missing court.

7/25/2009 10:00:11 PM