I am worried. I requested to be excused from jury duty because its really finanially not convenient at this time and because I am worried about my car not continually working right. Its an old one and I worry about it being reliable but we can't afford any others. Anyway I was denied my request because San Bernadino doesn't allow for financial hardship excuses anymore. I am worried, because what happens if my car breaks down or something that is out of my control? Would I go to jail or have to pay a fine because of something I couldn't control getting in the way of getting there? True, I am a worrier. My husband always says that, but I have been a very good citizen all my life and really do worry that I could get in big trouble if something happens to keep me from getting there. Especially car problems. Anyone have any answers, especially if you know anything about this personnally or from experience?
130847
If you are worried about your car take public transportation. Or, if you do take your own car and it breaks down, they won't penalize you the first time anyway. As you already know, worrying about things that probably won't even happen is a huge waste of time and energy. And, quite frankly, there is even a reasonable chance that on the week you have jury duty you might not even have to go and you will be safe for another year.
37039
A pilot from central Kansas almost died last Friday after being asked by the local sheriff to help out with a manhunt. He had just located the suspect from his Cessna 150 airplane when a gunshot fired from below hit him in the forehead. The pilot (who somehow managed to avoid serious injury) has told police, "You need me again, you call me." Could he have refused to help the cops or to let them use his vehicle?\n\nIt depends on the local laws, but in many places the answer would be no. Many states and cities have laws on the books that make it a misdemeanor offense to refuse aid to a police officer. And legal precedents suggest that the obligation to help out with an arrest extends to giving cops the use of your plane, your car, or anything else that might come in handy
139212
I don't know the answer.....\nbut if you were driving for JB Hunt (rig) at the time maybe you can be considered to have been in a cult and get de-programmed by a psychiatrist, and that might help with your record.\n-----\nedit\n-----\nOK do what the others recommend.  Remember for the record though, if you're working too many hours and with a job that requires driving, YOU MUST cover your buns with both hands and all ten fingers because it's you in the end that catches all h-e-double hockey sticks.  I mean did your employer step up to the plate when it all came down and say ,"Well yes we made this person work too many hours by threatening his life and therefore we feel that we are responsible for the negligent homicide."?
551846
Apparently someone has been criminally charged as a result of of your complaint. Obviously they contest the charge(s) or refuse to plea and adequately moved for jury trial. Unless they take a plea for a reduced charge you will probably have a say, if not some explaining to do.\n\nOtherwise you have turned the matter over to the "court" and they will decide if you get to say anything in a legal forum regarding the matter. \n\nFurther it is up to the states prosecuting counsel and the defendants counsel whether or not you will be called as a witness of which there is no guarantee you will get to testify.
616653
Former Police Officer/Current Attorney...\n\nI'll answer the second question first. Yes, one state can ask another state to suspend your drivers license. Most states (there a FEW exceptions) have a reciprocal agreement to enforce each others tickets. So, if you fail to pay the ticket your license could be suspended/revoked.\n\nYou really have no defense when it comes to the "I was following the pack" argument. Officers can usually only stop one car at a time-you were that one car. Now, he may have seen that you were from out of state. Usually, people from out of state just pay the ticket. They don't want to come back for court. From the facts that you gave I really see no VALID defense that you could make.\n\nThe only thing you MIGHT have luck at is contesting the ticket, and showing up for the court date. I would call his department and find out if he is working the day of trial. If he is working then chances are he'll show up for trial. If he is not working then there is a GOOD chance he may not show up for court. Some officers would rather spend their day off with family-not court. If he doesn't show up then ask that the ticket be dismissed. Explain to the Judge that you had to drive a LONG distance to be there, and that you had to miss work/school for it. The Judge may then dismiss it. \n\nAnd, don't listen to some of these other brilliant responses...the Judge will always take the officers word over yours. In the end, no matter what, you'll probably be found guilty...unless the officer fails to show up! Good luck!
426317
David-\n\nYou don't go into the problems with your car, but I am assuming they are mechanical since you don't describe any moving violations.  \n\nTypically, mechanical violations, including failing to change your address with DMV, will be "correctable".  Check your citations...most will say "Correctable Yes/No" next to the violation code.  If they are, simply correct the violations, have an officer from your local police department "sign the ticket off" and you won't have to pay a fine in court.  \n\nNow, there may be court fees to remove the citation out of the system, but you're looking at around $10 per ticket (depending on where you are).  This beats the fines!!!\n\nIf you have citations with moving violations, such as running a red light, unsafe lane change, speeding, etc., those are not correctable and you will have to go to court and pay a fine.\n\nIf you do have correctable violations and you don't correct them, you will be stuck paying fines on all those violations.  Get them signed off fast!\n\nMy advice:  Correct ALL your violations that can be corrected, go to court, tell/show the judge you have correct all the issues and respectfully ask for leniency based on your situation.  DO NOT ignore the citations or ultimately, a warrant for your arrest can be issued and the fines will double, triple, etc.\n\nHopefully this helps you, and GOOD LUCK!
674604
You can lose your license for this. You have to appear in court for this one. Hope you have a good reason for that, your tail is hanging in the wind.
476632
You may get a ticking off and a small fine.  It's more likely that nothing will happen to you and that a grateful prosecutor will look at your documents and apply to have you discharged.  (I do hope so!)
480173
Sorry, but I'm on the sheriff's side.  If you don't pay a fine, even for a seatbelt ticket, then a warrant's usually issued.  If you can't post bond, you go to jail.  The price for lack of responsibility is sometimes steep.  Along similar lines, here in Missouri if you bounce a check to the DMV and don't make good on it they'll enter a seize order into the computer & any police officer stopping you can remove your license plates & mail them back to the DMV.
488182
I live In Mount Vernon washington - My wife got rearended by an illegal alien on his way to get free food - as when the cop came all he had was a social services card as an ID - no driver's lic and no insurance and no registration - and yes the cop didn't call INS just gave him a ticket and let him go....\nThankfully my wife was in our truck and only had minor light damage - his car was totaled....thankfully.\nNo there are two sets of laws one for those of us who are here legally and one for those who choose to break the law every day....But the worst part is there are people who think that's okay ....boggles the mind....how they get away with so much....
569278
None of us has time! but... it is your civic duty to participate now and again!  There are specific criteria that will relieve you of jury duty, but you still need to show up and allow the judge to review your petition/request and dismiss you legally.  As far as trying to act like a @#$ a..hole in the courtroom and prejudice your responses, be careful-you can be held in contempt and perjury in a courtroom is very expensive!!
273100
My car was towed away while we were getting married.  One block from the courthouse, the taxi we were taking to get the car back was sideswiped so we waited an hour and did all the police reports before we could continue on our way.  STILL got charged for the cab fair.  Wrote a hot check to get the car back cuz we were young and poor.  Went to our place of business to pick up our paychecks to cover the hot checks.  Lunch rush - got asked to clock in and work so we did.  On a little windy country road, our car broke down and we sat on the side of the road for two hours before my new spouse rigged the car to get us home where we found an eviction notice on our door because they found out we had a dog and had not paid the pet deposit.  Worst day of my life!!
269250
I got a ticket in Virginia and went to court, not to fight it, it was excuse for a couple of hours off of work.  That excuse saved me some cash though.  See I told the judge that I was guilty and did the speeding.  I told them that they caught me and that I had no excuse.  He suspended everything, but court costs ($29).  The bottom line is not to speed, especialy in a ncrazy state like Virginia.  Just go to court and say yes I did it, I have no excuse.  The people who begged and whined at the court all got very stiff penalties.\n\nThose of us who just said "I am guilty" got off with the lightest penalty.  It seems to be a big deal for someone to admit guilt now a days, and not whine and cry and say it was anything and everything else but their fault.
75618
I hit a drunk with my car and sped away.Im not sure of i did hit someone..see,i was also drunk ;-)\ni checked the papers and there was no news of it.Im still not clear about it.
643177
I would think if the ticket was issued to him, it would be his problem.  But if your car was in an accident, then it would be your insurance that would have to pay. That's why you need to be so careful who you let drive your car.
447792
It's called Failure to Appear and the result is quite simply that a bench warrant is issued for you.  If it's a big city, chances are they won't come looking for you at your house, but if you get pulled over for any reason and they run your license, you'll be arrested on the spot and then things get much worse.  I missed my court date for littering in college (just forgot all about it) and they came to my dorm and arrested me.  They let me go once we got the jail and it was a smaller city, but they did come to me, so it's really hard to say.\n\nIf you missed your date, call them - get it taken care of.
374798
The scarlett letter license plates will not pass because there are those that hold high political offices or other esteemed jobs that have been caught for exactly that thing. Do you think that they want to drive around with a scarlett letter license plate? This is the only reason this bill has repeatedly been defeated. Now if it was just Joe Smoe who was getting busted for the DUI`s and not the senators, congressmen, etc, you bet it would pass.\n\nAs for Imani who answered before me, she`d better be glad she doesn`t live where I do, because that is exactly what one the judges in our county has people to do. I personally would think it is a deterrent and would think long and hard about doing something wrong if I had to do something like that. If you commit a crime you will be required to  pay society back one way or the other.