If you’ve recently received a traffic ticket or a red light penalty, you should take care of it as soon as possible. For the most part, some drivers may face further sanctions if they forget about the ticket or are unable to pay it straight away. So, instead of waiting, it’s important to look into how to solve traffic tickets right away, as we will also cover in the course of this post. But the question I guess you need answers to right away is, “What happens if you don’t pay a speeding ticket?” Well, here are some of the consequences of failing to pay for your ticket on time.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay a Ticket?
This isn’t an exhaustive list but they are major repercussions you may find in the US regardless of your location; with a slight difference in the numbers though.
#1. Increased Penalties
In most California courts, traffic violators have up to 90 days to pay their fine or enter a plea. The court believes that 90 days is ample time for a person to decide how they want to proceed and take action. If you have not addressed the issue by the end of the grace period, the courts may add a “civil assessment” to the amount you already owe. The average cost of this assessment is around $300.
Furthermore, the court may send your case to collections if you do not pay the original fine and assessment within an extra grace period. Only by responding to the ticket in some way will you be able to prevent civil assessment and collection actions. It doesn’t matter whether you pay the fine or appear in court; the judge just needs to know you’re not ignoring the ticket.
#2. Driver’s License Suspended
A suspended driver’s license can also arise from not paying a speeding ticket or failing to appear in court to answer the citation. A driver’s license suspension will simply add insult to injury. For example, if you did not purchase your ticket due to financial hardship, your financial condition will only worsen if you do not have a means of getting to and from work. Once the court has cleared you to do so, you may have to pay a fee to reinstate your license.
#3. Problems with Vehicle Registration Renewal
An unpaid ticket or an unlawful U-turn penalty could affect your car’s registration, in addition to causing problems with your driver’s license. If your case deteriorates to this point, experienced ticket fighters or attorneys may be able to assist you.
#4. Charges of Misdemeanor
If you receive a court notice for your traffic violations, unpaid tickets in many jurisdictions can lead to misdemeanor charges over time. The court may charge you with “failure to appear” if you do not appear in court when summoned. FTA is a breach of the written agreement you made at the moment of the stop when you signed the speeding ticket. Breach of contract is always frowned upon by the courts, but they take extra precautions when the damaged party is one of their own. Furthermore, if you don’t pay, the court may charge you with an infraction in addition to a misdemeanor.
#5. Warrant of Arrest
Unpaid traffic tickets may result in an arrest warrant in the most serious cases. Though this isn’t usually what happens if you don’t pay a speeding ticket, the courts may not feel guilty about issuing a warrant if you have multiple points on your record, have a long criminal history, or have shown significant disrespect for the court, the arresting officer, or both. If this happens to you, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay a Ticket: Illinois Ticket Options
Receiving a traffic ticket is inconvenient and may appear to be a minor occurrence. When it comes to paying tickets or following up on violations, it’s not uncommon for people to put off doing so. However, ignoring a ticket and hoping it goes away is the worst thing you can do. If you go down this path, a small traffic ticket can quickly turn into a serious issue. As we mentioned above, you could lose your license or even be arrested and placed in jail.
The amount of traffic fines in Illinois varies per court. Basically, the amount of your traffic ticket, how to pay or contest it, deadlines, fines, and if you must appear in court should all be listed on your traffic ticket.
When you get a traffic ticket, you have a couple of options:
#1. Pay the Fine
Paying a traffic ticket in Illinois constitutes an admission of guilt.
This translates to:
- Giving up your right to go to court to contest the traffic ticket.
- The Department of Licensing (DOL) may suspend your driver’s license based on your driving record.
- Your car insurance premiums may increase.
#2. Request a Hearing on Mitigation
This is also a guilty plea, and it could lead to:
- Reduction of fines
- Payment plan on a monthly basis
- Volunteering in the community.
#3. Make a Disputed Hearing Request
This is regarded as a not guilty plea. At this hearing, you have the option of hiring an attorney or representing yourself in order to have your charges withdrawn or reduced.
If you are guilty of a traffic offense in Illinois, you will receive points on your driving record, which may vary based on the violation. You may be able to reduce points or, in some situations, keep offenses off your driving record by attending a traffic safety course.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay a Ticket: Best US Practices
As I earlier mentioned, if you fail to pay your tickets and appear in court on time, your debt and fines will grow, and the court will report you to the Secretary of State. The following are other practices in the US;
- Your driver’s license may be suspended or you may be given a warrant for “Failure To Appear – Traffic.”
- If you don’t pay, your vehicle may be repossessed.
- If the fines aren’t paid in a timely manner, your vehicle will be towed, resulting in an extra towing fee as well as a storage fee.
- You may be subject to increased fines, which will be sent to collections.
- If you have 10 outstanding parking citations or five unpaid traffic camera fines, your license may be suspended, and you may be denied access to low-income homeowner contracts, licenses, and grants.
- If your license is suspended, it is normally only for a short period of time until you pay a fine and wait a set period of time. You lose your driving privileges indefinitely if your license is revoked, though you can reapply for your license after a minimum of one year. If your license is revoked, it is usually due to a medical issue, being ineligible or providing false information, or failing to meet a re-examination requirement.
Some examples of traffic violations that result in suspension, revocation, or cancellation include:
- Failure to yield to a police car or an emergency vehicle
- Disobedience of a railroad crossing signal
- Causing a collision in a work zone
- Dangerous driving
- Street racing or drag racing
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Refusing or failing to take a drug or alcohol test.
- The accumulation of a particular number of points might also result in the suspension of your license.
With the severity of the fines, it’s worth paying your traffic tickets and perhaps hiring a traffic ticket attorney to help you avoid hefty penalties.
What Happens if You Don’t Pay Your Traffic Ticket in California?
Your problem will only become worse if you ignore (or do not respond to) your ticket. Your fine will rise, and you may face extra penalties.
You can petition the court to examine your ability to pay if you can demonstrate to the court that paying the ticket will put you or your family in financial hardship. In circumstances of financial difficulty, you can also contact your court for an ability-to-pay assessment if your case is in collections. The court may decide to lower the amount of the fine or fee, accept a payment plan, or mandate community service after examining your case. However, not all courts will provide all of these choices, and not all fines or fees will be eligible for ability-to-pay determinations. The court may also rule that you owe the whole amount. Your driver’s license may be suspended and you may face further fines if you fail to appear in court or pay your ticket.
If you fail to appear in court on your scheduled day, you will be fined
Yea, in Califonia your driver’s license can also be suspended and you may face further fines if you fail to appear in court or pay your ticket. Failure to appear in court is referred to as “failure to appear” (FTA). You can be found guilty of a new felony if you break your written agreement to appear in court, which you signed when you received your ticket.
Note: You may not need to appear if you contacted the court prior to your "Notice to Appear" date to handle the ticket and took action on it (e.g., pled guilty and paid, sought an arraignment date, posted bond and requested a trial without arraignment, or requested a trial by declaration). Be sure to confirm with the court that your appearance is not required when you speak with them.
Furthermore, if you fail to appear, a “civil assessment” of up to $300 may be added to your fine; you may be found guilty in your absence; your case may be referred for collection, or the court may issue an arrest warrant for you. For “failure to appear,” the court can punish you with a misdemeanor or an infraction. If you receive a “civil assessment” but have “good reason” for not appearing in court or paying your fine, you may be eligible to have it canceled if you ask the court in a timely manner.
When You Can’t Pay Your Traffic Ticket Fines, What Are Your Other Options?
Late costs, collection agency involvement, license suspension, and even a warrant for your arrest can all result from unpaid traffic violations. Ignoring a ticket is usually not a good idea. If you can’t afford to pay your ticket in full right now, it’s worth checking into your alternative options.
School for Drivers
For certain drivers, attending traffic school is a viable option for resolving a ticket. Participants in traffic school typically save money because, while they must pay a fee for the course, they usually do not have to pay the cost associated with their ticket. The driver can also save money by avoiding demerit points and subsequent insurance rate rises by attending traffic school.
Payment Plans, Fine Reductions, and Community Service
You could also petition the judge for a reduced fine, an extension on the period you have to pay your ticket, or to undertake community service instead of paying the fee. Many jurisdictions now provide payment plans to drivers who are unable to pay their tickets in full but can pay them monthly.
Ticket Suspension
You won’t have to pay a fine if you challenge a ticket and win. And, if you lose and are subsequently convicted of the offense, some of the same choices outlined above will very likely still be accessible to you. So, for certain drivers, fighting a moving infraction charge may be worthwhile.
