Unpaid Speeding ticket in the US
Discussion
Short version:
I received a speeding ticket in California in 2008 and didn't pay it. If I return to the US without paying it will I be clapped in irons when I get to immigration, thrown in a cell and become the sex toy of someone called Bubba?
Long version.
I was clocked doing 8mph over the speed limit in California whilst on holiday. Despite the fact I was being overtaken by 10's of cars the cop pulled me and issued a ticket. He stated that the fine and how to pay would come through to my UK address. When I got home I tried calling the court etc to get more information I would get an answering machine most of the time eventually I got through to someone and they said nothing was showing in the system. I did this on the assumption the law in the US was to pay the fine or appear in court.
I decided at this point that either a ticket would come through or assumed in my own mind that perhaps the cop hadn't entered it into the system etc. Anyhow fast forward ~2 years later and the fine landed through my letter box $747. I periodically get reminders through nothing for years but something in the last 6 months. Uncle Sam still wants my ass.
At the time I decided as this was not an insignificant amount of money to cough up and from my point of view had tried to do the right thing at least initially, so decided to do nothing and worry about it if I ever chose to return to the US.
Well the time has come, a family member is considering a family trip to the states (not California) so the skeleton has to come out of the closet. I can't find anything online nor do I think I still have the ticket.
The way I see it I have a few options.
1. Do some investigations and try to reunite with my fine and pay it.
2. Don't go
3. Go without paying the fine.
I'll be honest the fine is more than the plane ticket will cost and add a significant cost to the trip.If I decide to go and not pay the fine I'm assuming that as they don't have my passport info it's highly unlikely (impossible?) they'd pull me at immigration? Whether I'd quite have the balls to do it without worrying is another matter.
At the time I really just wanted this off my back and would have paid the fine, but given the figures, the fact I tried to pay at the time, it all seems very draconian and difficult to swallow!
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? i.e. returned to the US with an outstanding fine? I rather not go, they can keep it
I received a speeding ticket in California in 2008 and didn't pay it. If I return to the US without paying it will I be clapped in irons when I get to immigration, thrown in a cell and become the sex toy of someone called Bubba?
Long version.
I was clocked doing 8mph over the speed limit in California whilst on holiday. Despite the fact I was being overtaken by 10's of cars the cop pulled me and issued a ticket. He stated that the fine and how to pay would come through to my UK address. When I got home I tried calling the court etc to get more information I would get an answering machine most of the time eventually I got through to someone and they said nothing was showing in the system. I did this on the assumption the law in the US was to pay the fine or appear in court.
I decided at this point that either a ticket would come through or assumed in my own mind that perhaps the cop hadn't entered it into the system etc. Anyhow fast forward ~2 years later and the fine landed through my letter box $747. I periodically get reminders through nothing for years but something in the last 6 months. Uncle Sam still wants my ass.
At the time I decided as this was not an insignificant amount of money to cough up and from my point of view had tried to do the right thing at least initially, so decided to do nothing and worry about it if I ever chose to return to the US.
Well the time has come, a family member is considering a family trip to the states (not California) so the skeleton has to come out of the closet. I can't find anything online nor do I think I still have the ticket.
The way I see it I have a few options.
1. Do some investigations and try to reunite with my fine and pay it.
2. Don't go
3. Go without paying the fine.
I'll be honest the fine is more than the plane ticket will cost and add a significant cost to the trip.If I decide to go and not pay the fine I'm assuming that as they don't have my passport info it's highly unlikely (impossible?) they'd pull me at immigration? Whether I'd quite have the balls to do it without worrying is another matter.
At the time I really just wanted this off my back and would have paid the fine, but given the figures, the fact I tried to pay at the time, it all seems very draconian and difficult to swallow!
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? i.e. returned to the US with an outstanding fine? I rather not go, they can keep it
https://goo.gl/maps/AvZSteT2kRB2
Seriously, I wouldn't sweat it. If they don't have your passport details (haven't you renewed your passport since?), then just shrug and say it must be a coincidence, your name isn't exactly unique in a country of 65m people.
The US doesn't really do nationally-joined-up on a lot of things, not least anything much to do with vehicles. Federal law enforcement starts at crossing state lines to flee justice. Oh, wait a sec.
Seriously, I wouldn't sweat it. If they don't have your passport details (haven't you renewed your passport since?), then just shrug and say it must be a coincidence, your name isn't exactly unique in a country of 65m people.
The US doesn't really do nationally-joined-up on a lot of things, not least anything much to do with vehicles. Federal law enforcement starts at crossing state lines to flee justice. Oh, wait a sec.
Edited by TooMany2cvs on Thursday 2nd June 23:51
TooMany2cvs said:
https://goo.gl/maps/AvZSteT2kRB2
Seriously, I wouldn't sweat it. If they don't have your passport details (haven't you renewed your passport since?), then just shrug and say it must be a coincidence, your name isn't exactly unique in a country of 65m people.
The US doesn't really do nationally-joined-up on a lot of things, not least anything much to do with vehicles. Federal law enforcement starts at crossing state lines to flee justice. Oh, wait a sec.
I'll have to check my passport, I probably had either just renewed it or was on my old one at first thought.Seriously, I wouldn't sweat it. If they don't have your passport details (haven't you renewed your passport since?), then just shrug and say it must be a coincidence, your name isn't exactly unique in a country of 65m people.
The US doesn't really do nationally-joined-up on a lot of things, not least anything much to do with vehicles. Federal law enforcement starts at crossing state lines to flee justice. Oh, wait a sec.
Edited by TooMany2cvs on Thursday 2nd June 23:51
I seem to recall at the time when the fine dropped through it won't just go away, and potentially an arrest warrant could have been issued but was only really a problem if you were stopped in the same state, ran your details and put two and two together.......
I was stopped for speeding in Wyoming last summer, 92 in a 65. Fine was $122 and the state trooper gave me paperwork at the time. I actually paid before coming home. I doubt 8 mph over the limit was a huge fine, certainly way less than an air ticket to the USA. What paperwork were you given at the time?
KevinCamaroSS said:
I was stopped for speeding in Wyoming last summer, 92 in a 65. Fine was $122 and the state trooper gave me paperwork at the time. I actually paid before coming home. I doubt 8 mph over the limit was a huge fine, certainly way less than an air ticket to the USA. What paperwork were you given at the time?
Just the ticket. Presumably the original fine wasn't huge but the failure to appear in court or pay the fine carried heftier penalties. Varies from state to state no doubt too.Turns out there's an amensty for unpaid tickets at the moment. It irks me that I've been slapped with a massive fine as it took ages to land through my letter box.
http://www.courts.ca.gov/trafficamnesty.htm
I don't see how immigration would know about it. I won't be planning on renting a car while I'm over there either.
http://www.courts.ca.gov/trafficamnesty.htm
I don't see how immigration would know about it. I won't be planning on renting a car while I'm over there either.
I got a speeding fine during 2014 in New Hampshire, think I was doing 53 in a 40. I was told at the time that if I didn't pay then I would be unable to enter that State again, but that was the only ramification. Possibly because the details were only held on local systems as it was only a traffic fine.
Pretty certain the fine was $165, I paid as I couldn't be certain I wouldn't go back to NH.
Pretty certain the fine was $165, I paid as I couldn't be certain I wouldn't go back to NH.
Me and friends parked a little too close to a fire hydrant in Huntington Beach, California and found a ticket on the screen when I returned the next day after getting suitably battered at the Surf Open the day before. Bumper overhung in front of the hydrant, which I figured was ok but officer said "no", not that I ever met him. If there had been a fire, the car probably would have been destroyed by the fire department in order to get to the hydrant, and quite rightly if it was a serious blaze...so our mistake.
Anyway, the ticket forewarned that non-payment could pose restriction entering the State again, and I think it was $60. That holiday was particularly heavy and we forgot to pay, and still haven't. No reminders have been sent to us by the hire car company who presumably got the demand for the fine through the post also, we've been back to CA countless times and I've hired cars there and in other States with no issue.
Anyway, the ticket forewarned that non-payment could pose restriction entering the State again, and I think it was $60. That holiday was particularly heavy and we forgot to pay, and still haven't. No reminders have been sent to us by the hire car company who presumably got the demand for the fine through the post also, we've been back to CA countless times and I've hired cars there and in other States with no issue.
KevinCamaroSS said:
I was stopped for speeding in Wyoming last summer, 92 in a 65. Fine was $122 and the state trooper gave me paperwork at the time. I actually paid before coming home. I doubt 8 mph over the limit was a huge fine, certainly way less than an air ticket to the USA. What paperwork were you given at the time?
The OP's fine has gone up for no show at court1Addicted said:
Bumper overhung in front of the hydrant,
Anyway, the ticket forewarned that non-payment could pose restriction entering the State again, and I think it was $60. That holiday was particularly heavy and we forgot to pay, and still haven't. No reminders have been sent to us by the hire car company who presumably got the demand for the fine through the post also, we've been back to CA countless times and I've hired cars there and in other States with no issue.
You have to park 15ft away from the hydrant. I am surprised your car was there 10 minutes after you parked it let alone next day. US towing companies are remarkably quick. If there are no points associated the hire company could pay and your credit card will be charged plus a fee. They may not notify you of this. Same for unpaid tolls.Anyway, the ticket forewarned that non-payment could pose restriction entering the State again, and I think it was $60. That holiday was particularly heavy and we forgot to pay, and still haven't. No reminders have been sent to us by the hire car company who presumably got the demand for the fine through the post also, we've been back to CA countless times and I've hired cars there and in other States with no issue.
130R said:
If a bench warrant was issued you could be arrested. Also if you are planning to drive you could be in trouble if you get pulled over. No way would I risk ending up in a US jail personally.
Speeding fines go through the court system and if you do not pay up before court and then do not turn up the judge issues a bench warrant. This means that if they check your details again in CA you will be going to jail. I am not sure if the bench warrants cross state lines though.I know this having spent an evening in a NYC jail cell with other criminals. To resolve my situation I had to pay nearly $2000 and attend 3 different courts including the main one in NYC that deals with all the murders. I had not paid for my ticket due to an admin error by the state of NJ. That was an expensive admin error.
a311 said:
I don't see how immigration would know about it. I won't be planning on renting a car while I'm over there either.
I got interviewed by immigration in jail in a sanctuary city where I should have been protected.Edited by h0b0 on Tuesday 3rd June 20:14
"If I return to the US without paying it will I be clapped in irons when I get to immigration, thrown in a cell and become the sex toy of someone called Bubba?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS-nCS9Az94
Enjoy your trip....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS-nCS9Az94
Enjoy your trip....
Holy thread resurrection!
I like to close out a thread (well I suppose it won't be until I've been and got back).
I didn't end up going in 2016 or since but have kids now so looking to go back so queue a thread search. I managed to get on to the court system which must have been updated some what over the years.
From the record it shows as 'Disposed as Dismissal on 10/02/2017' so after some Googling this means case dismissed, no fine owed and no bench warrant (which would have been the bit I was worried about. Funnily if I had have gone in 2016 chances are it could have caught up with me.
Posting this in case someone else does a similar search in future.
I like to close out a thread (well I suppose it won't be until I've been and got back).
I didn't end up going in 2016 or since but have kids now so looking to go back so queue a thread search. I managed to get on to the court system which must have been updated some what over the years.
From the record it shows as 'Disposed as Dismissal on 10/02/2017' so after some Googling this means case dismissed, no fine owed and no bench warrant (which would have been the bit I was worried about. Funnily if I had have gone in 2016 chances are it could have caught up with me.
Posting this in case someone else does a similar search in future.
a311 said:
Holy thread resurrection!
I like to close out a thread (well I suppose it won't be until I've been and got back).
I didn't end up going in 2016 or since but have kids now so looking to go back so queue a thread search. I managed to get on to the court system which must have been updated some what over the years.
From the record it shows as 'Disposed as Dismissal on 10/02/2017' so after some Googling this means case dismissed, no fine owed and no bench warrant (which would have been the bit I was worried about. Funnily if I had have gone in 2016 chances are it could have caught up with me.
Posting this in case someone else does a similar search in future.
Thanks for the update. We’re regular travellers to the USA but managed to avoid fines so far. Our last ticket was a warning with repercussions if caught in Texas again in the following 3 months.I like to close out a thread (well I suppose it won't be until I've been and got back).
I didn't end up going in 2016 or since but have kids now so looking to go back so queue a thread search. I managed to get on to the court system which must have been updated some what over the years.
From the record it shows as 'Disposed as Dismissal on 10/02/2017' so after some Googling this means case dismissed, no fine owed and no bench warrant (which would have been the bit I was worried about. Funnily if I had have gone in 2016 chances are it could have caught up with me.
Posting this in case someone else does a similar search in future.
I travel a lot and I came to the conclusion decades ago that it is best to pay the ticket everywhere. I once came across the US border into NY and customs remind me I had an unpaid ticket in NY ( I had forgotten it) . I was surprised and dropped by the DMV to pay it. Given the general tightening up at the borders best to make sure you are 100% OK. You have no rights coming into the US as a foreigner. Best to ensure there is nothing at all dodgy in your phone or laptop also.
a311 said:
Holy thread resurrection!
I like to close out a thread (well I suppose it won't be until I've been and got back).
I didn't end up going in 2016 or since but have kids now so looking to go back so queue a thread search. I managed to get on to the court system which must have been updated some what over the years.
From the record it shows as 'Disposed as Dismissal on 10/02/2017' so after some Googling this means case dismissed, no fine owed and no bench warrant (which would have been the bit I was worried about. Funnily if I had have gone in 2016 chances are it could have caught up with me.
Posting this in case someone else does a similar search in future.
Did you have to provide any ID to search that system? I like to close out a thread (well I suppose it won't be until I've been and got back).
I didn't end up going in 2016 or since but have kids now so looking to go back so queue a thread search. I managed to get on to the court system which must have been updated some what over the years.
From the record it shows as 'Disposed as Dismissal on 10/02/2017' so after some Googling this means case dismissed, no fine owed and no bench warrant (which would have been the bit I was worried about. Funnily if I had have gone in 2016 chances are it could have caught up with me.
Posting this in case someone else does a similar search in future.
ro250 said:
a311 said:
Holy thread resurrection!
I like to close out a thread (well I suppose it won't be until I've been and got back).
I didn't end up going in 2016 or since but have kids now so looking to go back so queue a thread search. I managed to get on to the court system which must have been updated some what over the years.
From the record it shows as 'Disposed as Dismissal on 10/02/2017' so after some Googling this means case dismissed, no fine owed and no bench warrant (which would have been the bit I was worried about. Funnily if I had have gone in 2016 chances are it could have caught up with me.
Posting this in case someone else does a similar search in future.
Did you have to provide any ID to search that system? I like to close out a thread (well I suppose it won't be until I've been and got back).
I didn't end up going in 2016 or since but have kids now so looking to go back so queue a thread search. I managed to get on to the court system which must have been updated some what over the years.
From the record it shows as 'Disposed as Dismissal on 10/02/2017' so after some Googling this means case dismissed, no fine owed and no bench warrant (which would have been the bit I was worried about. Funnily if I had have gone in 2016 chances are it could have caught up with me.
Posting this in case someone else does a similar search in future.
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