I got cited for expired tags and no proof of insurance (Lincoln: vehicle registration, attorney)

[Endelk]

I got pulled over today in Lincoln for having expired vehicle tags (because I'm an idiot and forgot to renew) and I also did not have a current proof of insurance card. I am insured, just didn't have current proof. Again, I'm an idiot. The cop gave me a citation and it has a court date on it. He said something about the charges being dropped if I can prove I renewed my plates and have current insurance, but I don't remember exactly what he said. Am I able to get this citation dropped somehow? This is the first time I have ever been pulled over so I'm not sure what to do now.

[Garthur]

Renew your license plates and get insurance within the month. Then call your county court house and ask where to take the proof that you are current.

As shown as you take it the correct authorities they should take all this off your record with no fines.

However, if you wait too long then you will have to go to court and then prove you are current and then pay the fine. If you don't do any of this and miss the court date then they will issue an arrest warrant. This doesn't mean they will hunt you down, but what it does mean is the next time you get pulled over expect them to take you to jail.

[sheerbliss]

Your citation should have instructions and/or a web site on it. At worst, you'll have to show up in court and show your proof of insurance. I assume they'll drop that part of the fine.

Next time you get your proof of insurance, put it in your wallet immediately.

[Endelk]

Thanks for the advice! I wanted to post a little update for my fellow Lincolnites who find themselves in a similar situation. I got my vehicle registration renewed right away, then waited for two days (they ask you to wait for two days so they can file the citation). After two days I went to the city attorney's office at 555 S 10th Street Suite 300 and showed them my new pink registration slip as well as proof of insurance. A prosecutor met with me after a short wait and she dismissed the ticket. She also said I no longer had to show up for my court date. I didn't have to pay any fees.

[sammythebull]

Originally Posted by Endelk

Thanks for the advice! I wanted to post a little update for my fellow Lincolnites who find themselves in a similar situation. I got my vehicle registration renewed right away, then waited for two days (they ask you to wait for two days so they can file the citation). After two days I went to the city attorney's office at 555 S 10th Street Suite 300 and showed them my new pink registration slip as well as proof of insurance. A prosecutor met with me after a short wait and she dismissed the ticket. She also said I no longer had to show up for my court date. I didn't have to pay any fees.

That's great. Thanks for posting your outcome.

[orca17]

Originally Posted by sheerbliss

Your citation should have instructions and/or a web site on it. At worst, you'll have to show up in court and show your proof of insurance. I assume they'll drop that part of the fine.

Next time you get your proof of insurance, put it in your wallet immediately.

I don't live in Nebraska, but the places where I have lived, this has been the case. If you can prove insurance by the time of the hearing, you probably won't be cited for that.

My insurance cards are printable. I put one copy in each vehicle, and one copy in my wallet. I just have to remember to replace them at renewal time.

[sheerbliss]

Originally Posted by orca17

I don't live in Nebraska, but the places where I have lived, this has been the case. If you can prove insurance by the time of the hearing, you probably won't be cited for that.

The city of Columbine Valley, Colorado charged me $25 to cancel the court date.

[Rivertowntalk]

I had this happen in Kansas (a long time ago) because I had not put my new sticker on my tag. They reduced the fine to $1, but I had to pay $40 in court costs even though I showed up early and paid it before the court date.