Depending upon why you're unemployed (disability, age, etc.) some courts may dismiss charges in the interest of justice. Also, payment plans, community service hours, or a short stay in jail (possibly a day or less) are options to satisfy unpaid tickets/judgments. Talk to the judge and see what they can do to help you.
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Jun 22, 2015 · I sent proof of my lack of income, my job offer and request to have my license unsuspended from DMV so I can start work and pay back my fine. I am a single mom and if I cant start work I will be homeless. This is not a joke. I wasnt allowed to see the judge the courts said I can only send in a letter. So I did.
Again, depending on your government's policies, generally you'll qualify for a court-appointed attorney if you're unemployed or can prove you and/or your family are on a budget too tight for lawyer fees. Hiring a Traffic Lawyer. Once you've weighed the pros and cons, and determined if the cost of the lawyer is worth it to you, take a look at some additional factors to consider …
In particular, a traffic ticket attorney specializes in laws related to driving; such lawyers defend traffic court cases varying from routine moving violations (such as running a traffic light) to more serious situations (such as driving under the influence ). Regardless of the violation circumstances, a seasoned lawyer works to reduce your traffic ...
Because they're familiar with the traffic laws, many traffic ticket lawyers can get a ticket dismissed if: 1 The issuing officer doesn't appear in court. 2 You agree to plea to another less serious non-moving violation. 3 You comply with an unsupervised probationary period.
So, ignoring a ticket normally isn't the best idea. If you can't afford to pay your ticket all at once, it's worth looking into the other options that might be available.
If you fight a ticket and win, you won't have to pay a fine. And, if you lose and are ultimately convicted of the violation, some of the same options discussed above will likely still be available. So, for some drivers, it might be worth the effort to fight a moving violation ticket.
Traffic School. For some drivers, traffic school can be a good option for dealing with a ticket. Traffic school participants usually save money because, while they have to pay a fee for the course, they don't normally have to pay the fine for their ticket. By completing traffic school, the driver can also save money by avoiding demerit points ...
In some states, eligible drivers have the option of dealing with a traffic citation by completing traffic school. It depends on which state you live in, but generally, you don't have to pay your citation if you do traffic school. And the costs of traffic school are typically quite a bit less than paying a traffic fine.
Traffic violation fines and the time you have to pay them are often standardized. For example, the fine for running a red light might be $120, and the jurisdiction you're in might give you 30 days to pay that fine. However, the rules aren't usually set in stone.
Payment plans are another possibility. A traffic ticket can get pretty expensive once all the fees and court costs are added in. Some people aren't able to pay the full amount at once but can make smaller monthly payments.
In some circumstances, hiring a traffic attorney clearly isn't worth the expense. For example, if you're eligible for traffic school and don't have a reasonable chance of beating your ticket, it's probably best to forgo hiring an attorney. Generally, you can sign up for traffic school without even going to court, so there isn't much benefit of having legal representation—you can just do it yourself.
It generally depends on the circumstances. For many people, hiring an attorney for a traffic ticket is definitely worth the cost. However, in some situations, a driver is better off not spending the extra money to retain a lawyer. Here are some factors you might want to consider before making the call.
If you decide to fight a traffic ticket, you'll generally have to go to court at least twice. But if you hire an attorney, you typically won't have to go to court at all. In other words, your attorney can represent you in court without you being present.
One of the problems with representing yourself is the lack of experience and legal knowledge. The average person just doesn't know what the best courses of action are in a given case. Experienced traffic attorneys have the best idea of what tactics and options are available for obtaining good results. And, it's not all legal knowledge. Attorneys who spend lots of time in traffic court are familiar with the tendencies of the different judges and sometimes of the law enforcement officers who write the tickets. This local knowledge can prove valuable in deciding how to defend against a ticket.
For instance, sometimes traffic violation points can be avoided by negotiating a moving violation ticket down to a non-moving violation.
Traffic lawyers with lots of trial experience are far more likely to win at trial than the average Joe or Jane. Simply put, attorneys who have spent countless hours in a courtroom and have knowledge of the law know what to focus on at trial. For non-lawyers, it's easy to get off track.
Commercial driver's license (CDL) holders drive for a living and are subject to stricter rules than other drivers. Under these rules, certain traffic violations can lead to CDL revocation. So, the stakes in traffic court for commercial drivers can be very high. With so much on the line, it would make sense to get an attorney involved.
Many bar associations have pro bono programs staffed by attorneys who've agreed to devote a share of their time to providing free legal representation to eligible clients. You may qualify based on income or other factors, like having AIDS, being an abused spouse, or being elderly.
Depending what is available in your area, you may find a nonprofit (charitable) organization with lawyers or legal assistants on staff, dedicated to providing low-cost legal services to particular populations. For example, various nonprofits serve senior citizens, immigrants and refugees, disabled or mentally challenged persons, artists youth, battered women, low-income tenants, and so on. Such organizations might also coordinate getting pro bono (free) help from attorneys in private practice.
Many U.S. law schools have clinical programs that are run by law professors and staffed by law students. These clinics give the students academic credit, exposing them to real-world legal issues under professional supervision. Clinics typically offer free legal services to individuals in the community.
In a criminal proceeding, if you can't afford legal assistance, a court will appoint an attorney for you. In a civil case, generally described as a dispute between two private parties, to get legal representation, you have to get creative. Here's how to find legal help if you can't afford a lawyer:
Legal aid societies are nonprofit organizations found in almost every corner of the country that provide free legal services to low-income people. While this is certainly worth exploring, the problem for many households is that the individual or couple makes too much money to qualify for help.
The Akron Bar Association, in Akron, Ohio, is an example of what's out there. You can call the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 9 to 11 a.m., as part of their Ask an Attorney Service, and they'll answer legal questions for free.
That is, if you lose your case, you won't pay money, but if you win, the law firm will take a portion of the money awarded to you. However, it's important to tread carefully before picking a lawyer. Choose a reputable attorney and make sure the rate is agreed upon before the lawyer takes your case.
Geoff Williams, Contributor. Geoff Williams has been a contributor to U.S. News and World Report since 2013, writing about ... Read more. Tags: personal finance, money, personal budgets, lawsuits.
Andrea Vacca is a collaborative divorce attorney in New Yor k City and the owner of Vacca Family Law Group. She says – at least with divorces – that "some courts offer free assistance to parties who want to fill out their own uncontested divorce paperwork."