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DC may be plagued with corruption, but this was an honest, by the book ticket. The poster admits he did wrong. There was no corruption until you guys suggested he not pay it.
The claiming you never got the letter sounds totally valid for the camera tickets. But an actual in person officer witnessing you and writing you a ticket and then handing you the ticket, might be a little different, I know I was the one asking for the advice here, but I'm not sure that I can just not respond.
The officer will turn in the ticket just like he did all of his others for that day, a court date will occur or a certain date will pass, it will come before some official or judge will say, ok what's next on the docket, and they'll say rolling through a stop sign, and be tried in absentia, (in mt absence) same fine same everything penalties, am I wrong here?
By the way, the back of the ticket does say that if you do not respond to a DC moving violation ticket, you will lose your driving privileges within the district, or license.
It's obvious that that last part applies to people with DC licenses, but I would hate to be taken to jail just because I didn't pay or respond to a California roll and then I get pulled over for a tail light out a yearfrom now when I drive into DC for dinner.
Thoughts?
Basically. Not quite sure why the OP didn't just Google this.
The police anywhere can throw you in jail for driving around with a supsended license. You can make the argument about how you never signed the ticket once the cuffs are put on you, after you're forced into the squad car, during fingerprinting, and eventually during your arraignment.
Your best bet is to request a hearing, admit your guilt at the hearing with a brief explanation, and hope for the mercy of the judge, which you will most likely get if you are contrite about the violation. Fighting the legitimacy of the ticket in the face of a sworn officers testimony will probably result in a loss for you. Don't heed the advice of ignoring the ticket. A camera ticket is very legally different than a cop's ticket. Ignoring a cop ticket will get an arrest warrant and/or license suspension issued to you. A camera isn't a sworn officer who can attest to a judge he issued you the ticket and, unlike a police ticket, a camera ticket does not carry points on your license or insurance in the DC area.
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