scared.....misdemeanor for unpaid speeding ticket....

[IHeartPeds87]

Hi everyone. I am really worried about this recent situation I dealt with.

I got a speeding ticket a couple months ago. I took the ticket to court to see if I could reduce the points on it, and lost the case. I was given a month from the court date to pay the fee. I completely forgot about to pay the fee.

Then I moved to a different city, but didn't officially change my address with the secretary of state (I was subletting my apartment for the remainder of my lease in the original city).

Since I didn't change my address, I didn't get the notices reminding me to pay the ticket. I also didn't get the notice stating that my license was suspended. So I didn't know that my drivers license was suspended.

I was pulled over for improper passing, at which point the police officer told me my license was suspended and arrested me. I was taken to the police department, called my parents for bond money and was released.

I did not go to jail. I was fingerprinted and did have my pictures taken. I was told to come to court on a specific date that is coming up.

I paid the unpaid speeding ticket and the fee associated with that county suspending my license.

I am praying and praying that when I go to the hearing, I will NOT be charged with a misdemeanor. I am really, realyl, really hoping it will go down to a civil infraction. I am worried because my driving record isn't the best (many speeding tickets).

What if I am? Will my dreams of being a nurse be gone forever? The nursing school that I am working on prerequisities for right now does not accept anyone who has a misdeamenor for 10 years.

I was stupid, it was a stupid mistake. I had the money and I completely forgot to pay the ticket off.

I have been really worried about this for the past couple days (incident is very recent). I wanted to apply for nursing schools this winter.......what do I do?????

Before this incident, my record is completely clear (except for speeding and parking tickets). I was never on probation, no mips, duis or anything like that.....nothing.

I am really worried about what to do.....any suggestions.....do you think I should pick a different career? WORRIED!!!!

[VORB]

'

First, don't worry about something that hasn't happened yet.

Second, it may be in your best interest to hire a lawyer for the hearing. If your nursing career depends on it, it may be worth it. A judge will listen to a lawyer more than he/she will listen to you.

If it doesn't turn out in your favor, go to the school and plead your case to the director of the nursing program. Exceptions are often made. But keep in mind that the school has to abide by whatever standards are put forth by the hospitals where clinical rotations take place. The school may be willing to let you slide; a hospital may not.

[oslogirl]

Retain a lawyer who knows and has a good rapport with the judge and solicitor.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Pay for a lawyer. Everyone complains about what they cost until they need one. Not paying now could cost you your future.

[CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Definitely find an experienced lawyer. If it costs you $$$$$, that's money well spent.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I've been in a similar situation, twice. It was many years ago when I was young and very, very ignorant about the way the legal system works.

My first time, I got a speeding ticket that I stupidly tried to ignore, which resulted in a warrant for my arrest and a new misdemeanor charge of failure to appear in court. When I turned myself in, the misdemeanor was reduced to an infraction; unfortunately, the fines were still more than I could afford and when the 30 days grace period was up, I still didn't have the money. So of course that made matters that much worse: now I was facing failure to appear and failure to comply (pay a fine) charges, both misdemeanors punishable by 90 days in jail.

Luckily for me, I got a sympathetic judge who realized I wasn't really a criminal, just young and sort of dumb. I came out of my second court appearance with a $205 fine and only one misdemeanor conviction. I never did anything like that again, and it never even came up until 12 years later, when I was about to graduate from nursing school, and the realization hit me: Holy underwear, Batman, I've got a record!! So I wrote to the court where I'd been convicted, and I got the nicest letter back from the court clerk saying that because of the length of time that had elapsed, my record was now clear.......and "We wish you the best in your nursing career".

Now, IF you are charged with a misdemeanor, you will have to disclose it when you apply for a nursing license, if not before you enter the program. BUT---this is not regarded as something that makes you potentially dangerous, and even though you will have to explain it, it shouldn't hamper your chances at a nursing career.

Oh, and a word about lawyers: They usually cost more than the fine for most minor offenses, so unless you really, desperately need to have a spotless record, having one represent you in a traffic case is SO not worth the expense. In some cases, you can't even bring in an attorney if the charge is an infraction and there is no possibility of jail time.

[egglady, LPN]

What I would to is SLOW DOWN when driving, and pay any and all fines.....I do truly wish you the best of luck, At the same time. we do have to become responsible for our own actions......