Speeding ticket, won't be in town on court date.

[KtfFang]

I got a ticket for going 26 in a 20 school zone while I was away for school in Columbus, OH. My court date was originally May 17 which is fine, but on that same day, I found out that it was changed to May 30th, which is bad since I'm going to be back in TX during that time. Last Thursday, I faxed a request to have the court date change to June 26, but my request still has not been granted. What will happen if my court date doesn't get changed? What should I do?


I had already received a ticket for changing lane without safety which resulted in a collision back in September. I really don't want anymore points on my system and my insurance to go up. I have heard that you can keep on delaying your court date, and if the prosecutor does not show up, the case will get dismiss. My friend suggested I get go to a Lawyer who specializes in traffic violation cases. Is that too extreme?

 

[seniorjudge]

Go to the courthouse.

Make sure you have an original copy of your motion for continuance.

Deliver one copy to the prosecutor.

Deliver the original to the court.

Make sure you put a certificate on the motion for continuance showing where you served it.

Be sure to mention in your continuance that it is your first request for a continuance (if that is true) and that you are not doing it for vexatious delay but for the good reason of [state your reason].

Ask the clerk very nicely when the judge will rule on it.

 

[KtfFang]

I can't go to the courthouse since I am out of State from now until the court date. Good news is I found out the Magistrate has made his decision on my request yesterday however I cannot find out whether my request was granted or not. Generally what is the chance of my request being denied? It is my first request for a continuance but I did not include that information in the fax. Will they know that it wasn't my first?


I have been calling in and the lines have been busy from 4pm yesterday until today. Their online public access page cannot load.

 

[seniorjudge]

Q: Generally what is the chance of my request being denied?

A: Generally, the same as the chance of your request being granted, i.e., about 50-50, more or less.


Q: It is my first request for a continuance but I did not include that information in the fax. Will they know that it wasn't my first?

A: They should if they read their own records.