Infractions

[HelloNurse2015?]

So this year I moved to a new home in a new county. I had a house warming party for the 4th of July. Family and friends were over for a BBQ, and setting off fireworks. During the firework "show" the police showed up to my house, asked for the owner of the house (me!), and issued me a possession of firework citation even though I was not setting off the fireworks, which is a traffic infraction according to my ticket. I didn't know fireworks were illegal in the county, even sparklers! There are no signs posted around the city, and I didn't think twice since fireworks were being set off throughout the city. So I've been calling week after week to check on the citation, but it was nowhere to be found in the system. I called today and my ticket finally showed on record and it was $2000! After further research, it turns out that the normal fine is doubled on 4th of July which is why it was that high! The first thing that popped into my head was now I have to report it to the BRN, I'm going to lose my license! I'm beyond scared! Obviously if I knew they were illegal, I would not have allowed my family and friends to set off fireworks. I wouldn't put my nursing license on the line. I was thinking about fighting the citation or at least trying to get the fine reduced, but I was reading horror stories about jail time or fines being increased if the judge was having a bad day! What should I do?!

[Cat365]

I'm not an expert but I don't think that your BON gives a lick about your fireworks citation. Now if it was a DUI that's another matter. Every legal infraction has a class. What class is this one?

Personally I would find out and then I would check your state's BON website to see what is reportable and what is not. You could also contact a lawyer that is familiar with the BON.

[Miss.LeoRN]

Fighting is likely useless. It doesn't matter if you personally set them off, you are responsible for the guests at your house. Also, as my husband was told when we first moved into our house and we did some cleaning and received a citation for having trash out too early (2 days, it's only allowed the night before); ignorance is no excuse for violating the law. You're expected that when you move similar new area that you read the ordinances local to you and abide by them.

As for the BoN; you received a fine, not a criminal sentence. Call say "hey I was fined over the 4th of July holiday weekend for fireworks, is this something I need to formally report in detail to the board?" if yes, just "I apologize for my actions, I want aware at the time, it won't happen again".

[LovingLife123]

Why on earth would you have to report it to the board? It's the equivalent of a very expensive traffic citation. We don't have to report speeding tickets. Lots of nurses would be screwed and the BON would be so busy if we reported speeding tickets.