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Many New York drivers are tempted to disregard traffic tickets, even to the point of forgetting or intentionally skipping their court dates. They may reason that it’s “just a traffic ticket” and not take it too seriously. In reality, however, this can have significantly negative consequences.
Do you have a pending traffic court date in Syracuse, or did you miss one? If so, it’s time to speak with the traffic ticket lawyers of Carden Dotzler Hammond, PLLC. We can help you successfully resolve your ticket and handle issues that arise with missed court dates.
The Consequences of Missing Your Court Date
Judges expect defendants to show up on their court dates, to be on time, and to be respectful in the courtroom. A motorist may believe that they can brush off court. They might even believe the court system is too complex to notice their absence.
This is a major miscalculation. Clerks keep track of their dockets, so when someone fails to show up the court will know about it. Missing a court date will likely lead to:
- Default judgment: Many Syracuse drivers are surprised to find that judges will not wait for them to show up in court whenever they want to, but will enter a default judgment instead. This means the driver is found guilty for the ticketed offense.
- Full penalties: Because the driver is found guilty, the full legal penalties are imposed. These may include monetary fines at the very least, along with points on the driver’s record and additional penalties for not appearing.
- Suspended license: The court will notify the DMV, which will suspend your license until the traffic ticket is resolved. Driving with a suspended license can lead to further problems.
- Warrant for arrest: More serious traffic tickets, especially those involving criminal offenses, may lead to a warrant being issued for your arrest. This is a serious matter. If law enforcement pulls you over or otherwise locates you, then you will go to jail.
- Higher insurance: It’s also likely that your automobile insurance premiums will go up. Your insurer will find out that you were determined to be guilty and will respond accordingly.
What To Do After Missing Court
If you missed a traffic court date in Syracuse or elsewhere in New York, don’t panic – but don’t delay, either. The problem will only get worse the longer you wait to fix it. We suggest that you do the following:
- Call the clerk’s office immediately: Find out which court held your hearing and call the clerk to explain your situation. They may or may not allow you to reschedule.
- Document the reason you missed: For instance, if you were sick or injured, gather your medical records to prove it. Courts are generally more lenient if you had a good reason to miss.
- Pay any penalties for failure to appear: These are separate from the penalties of the underlying ticket, and paying them may demonstrate good faith on your part. Ask the clerk how to pay them and do so, even if you intend to challenge the underlying ticket.
- Check your license status: Get in touch with the DMV to determine if your license was or will be suspended. You will need to address this matter separately from the underlying ticket.
- Contact a Syracuse traffic defense firm: Missing a court date introduces new complexities, but an experienced attorney can resolve them for you.
CDH Law is Here For You
Don’t let a minor traffic infraction become a major legal problem. You can potentially avoid or mitigate the more serious penalties associated with missing traffic court. Contact CDH Law today and let us handle all matters related to your ticket and court absence.