Speeding ticket

[Sledge]

During a recent trip to the U.S I was unlucky enough to get caught speeding on the Florida turnpike.I was issued with a ticket and details were taken from my U.K driving licence.I returned to the U.K that same day.Can anyone advise me what would happen if I "forgot" to pay this fine ? ie would I get busted at immigration on my next trip ?

[Bear Cub]

My guess - educated GUESS - is Yes!!

Skycop?

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Hunting is bad!!
Support the right to arm Bears!!

[britavia]

I'd be suprised if they did. Speeding tickets aren't counted when applying for Permanant Residency, so I doubt the INS would even be bothered about a tourist coming in with a past history of speeding fines!

[tallyho92]

Relax Sledge, I`ve had a few speeding
tickets in the states and have returned
on numerous occasions, can you imagine
how many foreigners get hit with speeding
tickets in the US everyday, the individual
states don`t even talk to each other
let alone the immigration dept.
A police friend told me that after 3 years the information gets deleted automatically from the system.
SO CHILL OUT

[This message has been edited by tallyho92 (edited 25 November 2000).]

[Sledge]

Thanks for the info chaps,now where did I put that ticket ?

[411A]

You are lucky. Up until a few years ago, if you had a foreign license in Florida, you were taken to see the judge immediately rather than issued a "notice to appear" (ticket). Be forewarned, if you return any time soon and get "busted" again, and have not answered or appeared, you will be arrested and taken to the jailhouse, 'cuffs and all. One phone call to the lawyer allowed. Know anyone that can bring you a ham sandwich while you sit behind bars? If you were driving a rental car at the time of infraction, it is likely that the unpaid citation will be added to your credit card.

[Check 6]

411A is correct. The speeding ticket is an "infraction." Technically, in most states you could have been arrested at the time and taken before a magistrate because you are not a resident. Once you "fail to appear", a bench warrant for "failure to appear" is issued, which is a misdemeanor, and you are now arrestable.

So, what could happen to you? If you are stopped again by the police in Florida, or otherwise have contact with the Police in Florida, and they check your name for warrants, you will be arrested and taken to jail. You can post bail and be released, otherwise you stay in jail and are arraigned before a magistrate, usually within 24 hours.

Your "failure to appear" traffic related Bench Warrant is not extaditable, so it should not be entered into the national computers; i.e. you should not have any problems entering the U.S.

You will have a problem in Florida if you have contact with the police.

You do have the option of contacting the traffic court and paying the fine by mail.

Check 6
Retired from the job

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Kick the tires, light the fires, first off is lead, brief on guard.

[Oil Captain]

Re:Speeding Tickets
California does not have a statute of limitations on traffic tickets but Florida does, which means it will eventually fade away. All who have said you will be arrested if you should encounter the Florida police again are correct. Here is a note of interest for you. If for some reason you should want to convert your flying certificates to US FAA PPL or other the ticket will be seen in the national records and can prevent you from receiving your FAA Certs. This is especially true of a DUI (Driving Under the Influence). Through the government computers every infraction os recorded and can be seen by every government agency. With my USCG license as ship's master we are allowed 3 speeding tickets and only 1 DUI before I license is revoked for a minimum of one year with a tribunal court hearing to recover the use of our licenses, and possibly up to a $5,000.00 fine. I would say the Coast Guard is much more strick than the FAA, but if for some reason the FAA should need to check on you, say for a ramp check (even without and FAA license) all flying privileges in the USA can and most probably would be revoked, unless someone has big $$$ to pay for your fine.

[Sledge]

Thanks for all this information. It helps to have a little bit of knowledge in order to make the right decision.Anyone out there had a similar situation?

[NIMBUS]

Sledge,
On a UK licence, you probably have nothing to worry about, as long as you don't get caught driving in Florida again.

I was nabbed in Utah, on an Irish licence, and was given a ticket for $65. I returned home and 'forgot' to pay. Two months later, I moved to Pennsylvania. Another month, still on an Irish licence, I was hit by another car in Philadelphia, and when the police checked me out they found my Utah record. They thought it was funny, and advised me not to go to Utah for a few years!Technically, they could have arrested me!

Ten years on, with an American licence, and I still don't want to drive in Utah. About every six months or so, a letter arrives at my Irish address telling me the fine has gone up because I did not pay. Last letter demanded $4,354.00 + $22.60 postage costs!

Pay the fine..!

[Sledge]

Now thats what I call a fine !!!
Cheers for that.

[ironbutt57]

If your point of entry is the state where the warrant is outstanding...chances are you WILL be arrested...otherwise forget it. A nationwide warrant will NOT be issued for this type of moving violation. It's all about MONEY...

[BJBATMAN]

Just Avoid Florida, it is not that great anyway!!

[inverted flatspin]

Not a serious thing but if it was me I'd pay the fine.

[belgiandriver]

Hello from Belgium,


I'm a Belgian lawyer, planning my summer US trip. I stumbled upon this thread while searching for US traffic rules and information about speeding fines.
Mid July, I'm taking my car (BMW M5) to the States (by boat). I arrive at NY City, and plan to drive East to West in approx. 1 week, then present my car to Dinan in CA, and drive back to NY City in 2 weeks (passing through Las Vegas).

I'm fully aware of the strict US speeding policy, but "you never know". I'd like to be prepared what knowledge of the law is concerned. Since I read some serious and interesting answers here in this thread, I'd like to ask some questions.

I now know that a "speeding ticket" is officially a notice to appear in court. Does that mean that a police officer does not have the right to issue and collect an "immediate fine" ? This isn't even possible for foreigners with foreign cars ?
What are the standard intervals between the date on which the speeding ticket is issued, and the date on which one should appear in court ? Some days, some weeks, more than a month ?
What is the result of not appearing in court (e.g. when i'm already back in Europe) ? Will this raise the amount of the fine ? Are more severe results possible (other than a fine) ?
What are the "common" fines for speeding on highways ? E.g. 10 mph too fast, 20 mph too fast, 30 mph, 40 mph, ... ?
Is there any possibility that a "serious" speeding ticket (e.g. 120 mph where 65 is allowed) will result in an immediate arrest ? Is it possible my car will be seized ?
Thanks for answering. ;)

G.

[raysalmon]

Each state is going to have slightly different rules, but the majority of states the following will apply:

1. That is correct. The officer cannot issue an immediate fine. Most often he will not even tell you what the fine will be.

2. Time between ticket and court date will vary a lot depending on where you are but is usually a couple of weeks.

3. Not appearing in court will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest. The unpaid fine will generally incur additional penalties and interest.

4. Common fine amounts will again vary depending on location. Very hard to put an accurate number on it. My one speeding ticket I got for doing 15 mph over was $95, but in some locations that is low.

5. Yes, you will likely get prosecuted for reckless endangerment over a certain speed which can result in an immediate arrest. You car would probably be impounded and cost you $$ to retrieve.

[propdog]

Totally not worth it. You can get arrested for that kind of crap. Trust me!

[20driver]

Tooling around in an exotic car with foreign plates is sure to catch the eye of the local police. Don't give them an excuse to pull you over. Also make dead certain you have obvious US insurance issued by an American firm. They take it very seriously here and are not likely to accept something they do not recognize.
Having said that sounds like a great way to spend a few weeks.
20driver

[belgiandriver]

Hmmm, okay. Thanks for the answers. ;)


@ raysalmon

Concerning question 3 : "Not appearing in court will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest".

The police officer will certainly write down my address, so they will send me some notification, I presume? If i'd pay the fine as soon as I get notified about it, the warrant for my arrest will be dropped, I presume?


@ 20driver

"Also make dead certain you have obvious US insurance issued by an American firm. They take it very seriously here and are not likely to accept something they do not recognize."

They must, however. We're very serious too, over here, about insurance. In Europe, proof of insurance is called the "green card", in the US a green card is something totally else if i'm not mistaken ... but neverthelesee, this document stating coverage, must be accepted in the US.

Fact is that most of the insurance companies do not include US and Canada in the standard coverage, because of the "insane" law system that supports incredibly high damages ("get rich by losing a leg"). Therefore, insurance for the US and Canada has to be applied for, and costs extra. For that money, you get an extra insurance card that resembles the one that is common in the US.

I see no problem there. ;)







An extra question, maybe. Is it obligatory to have an indication on the car that states its origin ? E.g. does a Canadian tourist have to have a sticker on the back of his car stating he's Canadian ?
When I put a "B" on my car (Belgium), I think it will raise exactly the same amount of suspicion than when there's no B on it ...

[20driver]

National stickers like the B etc are not required here. There is no need. The only foreign plates they ever see are Canadian and I guess Mexican.
Re the insurance. Just be prepared to be stopped by a police man who is wetting himself over a registration tag he had never seen. If the insurance card does not say Allstate, State Farm or something he recognizes be prepared for a long wait while Bubba checks it out. Waving around some international carnet or some card in , god help you French, is not going to go down very well.
20driver

[jai6638]

Is there any possibility that a "serious" speeding ticket (e.g. 120 mph where 65 is allowed) will result in an immediate arrest ? Is it possible my car will be seized ?

My cousin was caught driving 120-130 on a 65 in Arizona and was arrested immediately. It was bailable though so he got out...

[Dream Land]

Just was wandering about the insurance, his company probably is in partnership with an American company is my guess, another question would be whether or not European vehichles meet all the safety requirements that are required in the US. On speeding, I live in the west, speed limits are usually 70 MPH, I have gone by Highway Patrol cars at 95 MPH before without any consequence, I immediately slowed down but apparently they had better things to do than cite me, I use a radar detector and for long trips I install a CB radio and monitor channel 19 which provides vast amounts of information through the truckers chating.

[jai6638]

What's a CB radio?

[Dream Land]

CB is short for citizens band, around 26-27 MHZ, a channelized system (40) that all US truckers use to pass information between each other, good for hearing information about road conditions and speed traps, they are not too expensive, around 60-80 dollars for a low end system.

[Lily Rowan]

The police officer will certainly write down my address, so they will send me some notification, I presume? If i'd pay the fine as soon as I get notified about it, the warrant for my arrest will be dropped, I presume?

Yes – payment of the fine constitutes a “guilty” plea and will close out your case. If you do receive a ticket, it should have payment information on it (a number to call to figure out your fine, payment address and accepted methods, etc). You should be able to arrange for payment before leaving the U.S. – possibly by credit card via internet or phone (not sure if your card will need a U.S. address).

I’m comfortable driving up to 10mph over the speed limit; above that, just make sure that you’re not the fastest or most aggressive car on the road. If you do get pulled over, simply remember to be nice and polite. The policeman will ask for your driver’s license, car registration, and proof of insurance. He will probably take those items back to his car for several minutes while he checks the documents. If the he questions anything, just explain patiently – your demeanor more than anything else will determine the outcome. As an out-of-town guest, there’s a good chance that you’ll receive a written warning instead of an actual ticket unless you get angry or otherwise have a bad attitude.

In the absence of erratic or reckless driving behavior, you have a very slim chance of being pulled over. Enjoy your trip – it should be an incredible experience!

[el @]

What you say is right LR, but ...
Yes – payment of the fine constitutes a “guilty” plea and will close out your case. If you do receive a ticket, it should have payment information on it (a number to call to figure out your fine, payment address and accepted methods, etc). You should be able to arrange for payment before leaving the U.S. – possibly by credit card via internet or phone (not sure if your card will need a U.S. address).
I’m comfortable driving up to 10mph over the speed limit; above that, just make sure that you’re not the fastest or most aggressive car on the road. If you do get pulled over, simply remember to be nice and polite. The policeman will ask for your driver’s license, car registration, and proof of insurance. He will probably take those items back to his car for several minutes while he checks the documents.
If you're in California, he/she will be back with your ticket ready to sign, no place for discussions.
If the he questions anything, just explain patiently – your demeanor more than anything else will determine the outcome. As an out-of-town guest, there’s a good chance that you’ll receive a written warning instead of an actual ticket unless you get angry or otherwise have a bad attitude.
Exception, California (and I think other places) were a ticket will be always be given. Warnings will be given only for few cases, eg burnt lights, missing registrations, etc. Warnings in most cases still requires a trip to the DMV or court house to show that the problem has been corrected.

In the absence of erratic or reckless driving behavior, you have a very slim chance of being pulled over. Enjoy your trip – it should be an incredible experience!
I think the most common advice has been given already - If you plan a long trip on solitary roads where the speed limit is absurdely low, get a good radar detector, learn how to use it and where is legal to.

[buzeyga]

Couldnt read through all of the posts...but..... I know for fact if you are caught in that state again you will end up in the metal restraints. Next time move to a different address before entering the states and force them to prove it was the same guy. I remember during the "Gumball 3000" in the states a German tagged BMW was pulled over for doing 140+ in a 70mph... officer walked to up the car on the wrong side...collected license..attempted to run it..then jumped in his and drove back off...no citation..no nothing. Of course alot of the others were arrested.