Curiosity about Speeding Tickets

I got a speeding ticket recently and couldn't believe how much money they wanted. I asked how long I would have to be in jail if I couldn't afford to pay it. They said there is no jail time and I would have to do community service. I guess if you don't show up for community service, they suspend your drivers license. What if you drive anyway? Will they put you in jail for that? And for how long? What if nobody was harmed? Can they put you in jail for driving without a license if nobody got hurt? Isn't the use of speed traps as an alternative form of taxation just unconstitutional highway robbery?

Just don't go back to court, let it turn into a warrant, turn yourself in and you should be out in 24 hours or less.

I've done this so many times. At least 10 since 2004. My record is getting $3,500 worth of tickets wiped out at the city of Houston jail in less then 6 hours. I was booked around midnight and out before 6am.

If you do that just make sure to plea guilty the second you go before the judge (alot of times the judge is on TV) they'll find you guilty, assess your fine, give you time served and you'll be on the way out of the jail in no time.

What if you drive anyway? Will they put you in jail for that? And for how long? What if nobody was harmed? Can they put you in jail for driving without a license if nobody got hurt? Originally Posted by Waleli

Yes, it is a class B misdemeanor punishable from 0-180 days in the jail and a fine not to exceed $2,000.00 if it is your second or more offense. Or if your first offense you are driving without insurance. Otherwise it is another class C ticket punishable up to a $500 fine and no jail. Additionally, you'll have another driver's license suspension and a surcharge to get your license back.

Maybe I'll answer the OP's 65,987 questions later if I have time, but I have to ask Brooke: How the hell can you afford car insurance with so many traffic-related convictions? Let me guess... You drive without insurance, right? Haha.

Maybe I'll answer the OP's 65,987 questions later if I have time, but I have to ask Brooke: How the hell can you afford car insurance with so many traffic-related convictions? Let me guess... You drive without insurance, right? Haha. Originally Posted by ShysterJon

Oh no, I have insurance. It's actually $580 a month in my name, but only $165 in my SO's name. Apparently the police nor Chase nor the DMV care that "I" am not insured, they just care that the "car" is insured.

I did not notice you were asking 2 very different questions when I read your post earlier ....

THIS .....

I got a speeding ticket recently and couldn't believe how much money they wanted. I asked how long I would have to be in jail if I couldn't afford to pay it.

AND THIS ....

What if you drive anyway? Will they put you in jail for that? And for how long? What if nobody was harmed? Can they put you in jail for driving without a license if nobody got hurt?

Are 2 very different things ...

I am driving with a suspend TDL and have been forever (since 2004) but since it's not accident related or DWI related the cops never give me a hard time. So my advise is, if you wreck with no TDL - STOP - do not flee. It will make your problems much worse.

This sort of thing varies immensely depending on the jurisdiction, the particular thugs and slugs you encounter, what you look like, how you act, your reputation, whether they think you have assets to take, etc. Don't count on getting away with X just because Y did. The only constant: if you piss off the Piggs, you better leave town. The law won't matter and neither will the fact that Y beat a murder rap by blowing the judge.

Look Waleli, since you work for cash, you can fill out an affidavit of indigence and file it with the court claiming you can't afford to pay the ticket because you're indigent and have no income. The court will find you indigent and wave the fines and fees for indigence under 45.0491. Then you can claim you don't work because you take care of a infant child and that doing community service under 45.049, would impose an undue hardship on you performing child care duties and get out of doing community service at the same time.

As another alternative you can always hire SJ to get you off. He did say he will represent anybody, anywhere, at any time.

To answer the second part of your question, DWLI first offense is a class C misd.. You will be ticketed and sent on your way. The second offense is a class B misd.. Then you may very likely be arrested and your vehicle impounded if you don't have a passenger with a valid DL. Also you will pick up surcharges that will have to be paid in order to reinstate your DL + pay the reinstatement fee.

Enough of this. I have dragons to slay. No more time for fire ants today.

Why not just go to traffic school for a couple nights? It's cheaper usually than the fine, and it keeps it off your record so your insurance won't go up.

Why not just go to traffic school for a couple nights? It's cheaper usually than the fine, and it keeps it off your record so your insurance won't go up. Originally Posted by redbeard42

That's great if you're eligible for it but Deferred Adjudication may or may not be available to you depending on how many tickets you've had within a certain amount of time. At least that's what a friend told me.