Speeding violation in Virginia on UK licence (home, DMV)

[pooinabox]

Shall I pay?

I recently got stopped speeding in virginia doing 95 in a 65 zone, pretty stupid. The officer told me that I would have to appear in court in febuary. The thing is that I'm both a UK and US citizen. I had no licence on me at the time as I had recently lost my UK licence. I do have a social security number though which the officer took.

My question is, seeing as I do not have a US licence and will be leaving California (my current address) in April is their any reason to pay the fine or appear in court, I'm guessing that it will be a couple $100s which I really don't have? If I just ignore it will this affect my ability to get a US licence some time in the future or can they stop me from entering the country?

thanks for any input on this matter.

[Mr_Jonas]

If I were you I would call the UK embassy and ask for advice. I have a Swedish friend who had a similar situation but since he was a Swedish citizen and heading back to Scandinavia the next week the officer told him to go home and forget about the whole thing.
Now that was in 1993, things surely are different these days. Call the embassy.

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by pooinabox

Shall I pay?

I recently got stopped speeding in virginia doing 95 in a 65 zone, pretty stupid. The officer told me that I would have to appear in court in febuary. The thing is that I'm both a UK and US citizen. I had no licence on me at the time as I had recently lost my UK licence. I do have a social security number though which the officer took.

My question is, seeing as I do not have a US licence and will be leaving California (my current address) in April is their any reason to pay the fine or appear in court, I'm guessing that it will be a couple $100s which I really don't have? If I just ignore it will this affect my ability to get a US licence some time in the future or can they stop me from entering the country?

thanks for any input on this matter.

They will either try you in your absense and impose a large fine (much higher than 100. With the civil fines it will be in the 1,000's.) Or more likely because of the high speed they would issue a capias/arrest warrant for your failure to appear. If you are never going to come back to Va., i wouldn't worry about it. If you do come back you would go to jail if an officer stops you.

[desertsun41]

Normally going that fast requires more then just paying the fine. Stupid things like mandatory court appearance and mandatory driver education.

What others said is true. An arrest warrent will be issued on your name and if you do get stopped again on future visits you will be arrested. The trick here is not all states have reciprocating DMV cooperation with eachother. It is easy for a cop to run a full country wide check but most will not if you dont give them reason to be suspicious.

Im telling you this because if you got a lets say new Florida license and ignored your California license you might get away with it if you are stopped in Florida while you are dead meat getting stopped in Cali. If that Florida cop did a nationwide check you are also dead meat.

If you are not coming back then just laugh at the ticket. If you do need to come back then it is just easy to pay the extortion. If you are doing this much travel then money is obviously not a problem for you.

[pooinabox]

Thanks for the info, so if they issue me an arrest warrant does that mean if I came back, in say 10 years and tried to get a californian licence then could they stop me. Will I be a wanted man in just virginia or in all states? Thanks Guys.

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

Normally going that fast requires more then just paying the fine. Stupid things like mandatory court appearance and mandatory driver education.

What others said is true. An arrest warrent will be issued on your name and if you do get stopped again on future visits you will be arrested. The trick here is not all states have reciprocating DMV cooperation with eachother. It is easy for a cop to run a full country wide check but most will not if you dont give them reason to be suspicious.

Im telling you this because if you got a lets say new Florida license and ignored your California license you might get away with it if you are stopped in Florida while you are dead meat getting stopped in Cali. If that Florida cop did a nationwide check you are also dead meat.

If you are not coming back then just laugh at the ticket. If you do need to come back then it is just easy to pay the extortion. If you are doing this much travel then money is obviously not a problem for you.

Just fyi, that was true a while back but stuff has changed BIGTIME with L.E. Most Departments have the techonology that automatically runs your name through all the systems.

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by pooinabox

Thanks for the info, so if they issue me an arrest warrant does that mean if I came back, in say 10 years and tried to get a californian licence then could they stop me. Will I be a wanted man in just virginia or in all states? Thanks Guys.

More than likely just in Va. They wouldnt extradite for that charge. Just don't come back, you'll be good.