I got a ticket in Dewey Beach. What should I do? (sales, how much)

[lenniel]

Got a ticket from a cop on a mountain being for walking with a beer. I think the ticket is like $200 which is absolutely crazy for an open container offense.

I don't live in DE or even on the East coast and it could be many years before I even visit DE again. Should I just blow it off? If I got pulled over for speeding in Michigan for example, would that ticket show up with a warrant?

[Charley]

Originally Posted by lenniel

Got a ticket from a cop on a mountain being for walking with a beer. I think the ticket is like $200 which is absolutely crazy for an open container offense.

I don't live in DE or even on the East coast and it could be many years before I even visit DE again. Should I just blow it off? If I got pulled over for speeding in Michigan for example, would that ticket show up with a warrant?

I'd pay the fine, chalk it up to experience and move on.

[SXMGirl]

The adult thing to do is to pay the fine and learn from this experience.

[Sandee1213]

$200 is a lot of money, but think of how much money you could spend in the long run if you don't pay it.

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by Charley

I'd pay the fine, chalk it up to experience and move on.

If it was only $25 or something like that, I wouldn't have a problem with it but it's $250 and I think that's excessive. I'm considering fighting it through the mail and eventually hoping they just throw it out.
I'm just curios as to how serious is the offense for not paying the ticket and can it follow me outside of DE?

[Charley]

Originally Posted by lenniel

I'm just curios as to how serious is the offense for not paying the ticket and can it follow me outside of DE?

I don't know, but in truth, I would not want to find out. I have a nice clean record and I'd want to keep it that way.

So return to Delaware and see if you can plea bargain it down, or just pay it and let it go - but don't just let it fester. You never know when it might rear it's ugly head.

[jmking]

A mountain in Delaware? I once got a parking ticket in Dewey and went to the police station and we talked about it and they withdrew the ticket. I almost got a ticket for having a beer on the beach and told the police I had no idea you could not have an opened container on the beach. I lucked out again.

It could be your unpaid ticket "opened beer container in public" can be attached to your driving record in some way in your State, especially if the two States have come to agreements in enforcing each others tickets and fines like many neighboring States do. I wouldn't take the chance.

[doctorjef]

It wasn't a driving offence of any kind, however. It was violation of a municipal ordinance (I assume, though could fall under State law). I frankly don't see how it's going to attach itself to one's driving record in another state. Pity you didn't try to deal with it when you were still in DE. I still wouldn't want an outstanding warrant in another state, even one you may never visit again. I'd suggest phoning whatever municipal (or other) authority is indicated on the citation and seeing what you can do about it. However, you are probably going to have to pay it. I think you would have had a better chance trying to deal with the matter in person.

What did you mean by a mountain? Go back and re-read your OP.

[Charley]

Originally Posted by jmking

It could be your unpaid ticket "opened beer container in public" can be attached to your driving record in some way in your State, especially if the two States have come to agreements in enforcing each others tickets and fines like many neighboring States do. I wouldn't take the chance.

You know, it's a possibility. New York and 34 other states have started to link driver's license renewals to non-payment of child support. Probation violations are also linked to driver's license renewals in some states. If it were me, I wouldn't want to take the chance either.

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

It wasn't a driving offence of any kind, however. It was violation of a municipal ordinance (I assume, though could fall under State law). I frankly don't see how it's going to attach itself to one's driving record in another state. Pity you didn't try to deal with it when you were still in DE. I still wouldn't want an outstanding warrant in another state, even one you may never visit again. I'd suggest phoning whatever municipal (or other) authority is indicated on the citation and seeing what you can do about it. However, you are probably going to have to pay it. I think you would have had a better chance trying to deal with the matter in person.

What did you mean by a mountain? Go back and re-read your OP.

Sorry about that, I meant a mountain bike. I was pretty well lubricated at the time I got the ticket and supposed I could have easily been taken in for public intox but I was cooperative and did my best sales job trying to talk my way out of it but the guy wouldn't budge. I suppose it's an expensive lesson learned but I think I will take the advice to call the municipality, maybe plead unemployment and ask for a reduction to $100 or something like that. I'd still like to know if they can get me for anything outside of DE since it wasn't a moving violation, DUI, bail jumping, felony or anything like that.