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No Seatbelt And Driving While Under Suspension.
Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:01 pm
by bbuffy2000
I hope someone can help me here. I am very scared...I've never had to go to court before. I've always had an excellent driving record.
Approx 2 yrs ago, I received a traffic ticket that I thought I had paid.
On the evening of Sept 2, 2012, I was driving home from a family bbq. I was nearing the off ramp on the highway and my son started throwing up in the car. I reached under my seat and couldn't reach the plastic bag I had under there to give to my son. I couldn't quite reach it so I undid my seatbelt and grabbed the bag and gave it to my son. I'm coming off the hwy and grabbing for my seatbelt and there was a ride program right on the ramp!
He came to the car and I gave him my lisence and insurance. He checked everything out and came back and said that my lisence had been under suspension since April. I can say that I honestly didn't get the notification that the officer said they send out. Our mail goes to a 'super mailbox' so maybe it's possible it went into someone else's box. I have no idea.
I got my lisence back but I stilll have to go to court next week for these charges and I'm petrified! I'm 50 yrs old and feel like a child so scared. We haven't the means for me to get a lawyer or I would have done so.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Re: No Seatbelt And Driving While Under Suspension.
Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 5:23 pm
by bend
bbuffy2000 wrote: I got my lisence back but I stilll have to go to court next week for these charges and I'm petrified! I'm 50 yrs old and feel like a child so scared. We haven't the means for me to get a lawyer or I would have done so.
Minimum fine for Driving while suspended is $1000 (plus surcharges and reinstatement fees), mandatory 6 month license suspension, and up to 6 months of jail time.
People here are going to be apprehensive about giving you advice because of the possibility of jail time. I wouldn't worry about going to jail, but representation is recommended anyways.
Re: No Seatbelt And Driving While Under Suspension.
Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 7:29 pm
by bbuffy2000
I feel sick...thank you for letting me know.
Re: No Seatbelt And Driving While Under Suspension.
Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:51 pm
by Stanton
Talk with the prosecutor on your first attendance date. If your record is relatively clean and they find you credible, they might allow you to plead to a less serious offence. I've seen some people plead to drive no licence, which is a reduced fine and additional suspension.
Re: No Seatbelt And Driving While Under Suspension.
Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 5:23 am
by bbuffy2000
Okay, I'll do that. I've been driving for 34 years with a perfect record...no points ever taken off my record, etc. We\ll see what happens. Thank you so much for your help.