Ticket that resulted in a license suspension

[akaira]

hi
I just found out that i had a traffic ticket in New Jersey in 2007 that has lead to my License suspension. I didn't know that this ticket existed. I never got any letter from the court or the police concerning this ticket or suspension.
I left New Jersey in 2007 after i finished studying without any knowledge that this ticket existed. I have been driving in Illinois without knowing this, I got involved in an accident 2days ago and discovered that I was driving on a suspended license. But when I found this out I immediately contacted New Jersey about paying the fines and removing the suspension. However they insist that I have to appear in court in New Jersey when i am in Illinois. I can't travel to new jersey because of the injuries from the accident and no immediate finances to cover the flight cost. But i would be willing to pay the fine using a credit card, or check money order. It there away of doing this without going to New Jersey?
thanks
nkaira

 

[mightymoose]

Don't pay the fines. If you never received a citation and never received a summons to court, then it should be easy enough to get this dismissed. Slim chance of getting the officer that issued the citation to show up and actually remember writing the citation.

 

[akaira]

But this affects my drivers license now its marked as suspended in New Jersey and Illinois as well because apparently Illinois will not issue a new drivers license to me unless the suspension is removed in New jersey!. I need my license to drive back and forth from school and job interviews . As of right now Jersey refuses to settle mu case without me being there physically even after i have told then repeatedly that i can not come ton new Jersey . But i am willing to pay the fine online or other ways because physically right now i can't make it there. Are they right that i have to show up and there is no other way around this rule? They have never sent me a court date etc.

 

[mightymoose]

You could probably have an attorney appear for you.... but that will cost you.
This is a pretty minor issue... who have you been talking to in NJ? You should be in touch with the DA in the county that issued the citation.

 

[akaira]

I have been in touch with the clerks office and the police department the court clerks office keep insisting that i have to appear in court that i can't pay the fine online etc. She said it was issueD because i didn't appear in court but i was never given a phyisical ticket or a date to appear in court to have missed it on purpose.

 

[mightymoose]

No, you won't be able to pay the fine without appearing because there is a warrant issued for your failure to appear.
Get in contact with the District Attorney and explain your situation and find out if an attorney can appear for you if it is to go to court. If the DA has no proof that you were ever served papers to appear in court, that your signature does not appear on any promise to appear, then you might have a reasonable shot having them drop everything. This is all over a traffic infraction- nothing serious. I don't think they would trouble themselves too much with it.... however if you keep saying that you just want to pay the fines... they might just get you to do that.
Personally, there is no way I would pay fines for an offense that I did not commit. They might be suspect of your willingness to pay up even though you say you didn't do anything.

 

[akaira]

So do i talk directly to the DA or a secton of his office? Thankyou so much for your help i will try that and tell you the out come .