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Crime & Law Enforcement Issues & Death Penalty/Could I be arrested when I show up for court?

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Expert: - 1/17/2004


Question
Hi, I just received a notice of court appearance for hearing?

It says type: report       Re: payment of fine

This is back to 1992. I left the country, I didn't know that I owe this money to the courts.This was for DWI

Could I be arrested or they just want me to pay this money.
On the citation says," Disregard hearing if payment has already been made".

Please, inform me what can I expect if I pay an amount , but not the whole thing 'cause it is $1,500.

                    Thank you

Answer
Hello,

    Please understand that every state and sometimes even counties have different procedures about warrants, payment of fines, etc.  So there is no way to tell for sure what is going to happen.  If it were me I would call the court on Monday or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday.  Sorry I can't give you what you want but things are handled differentely everywhere you go.

Crime & Law Enforcement Issues & Death Penalty

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

Please do NOT ask questions about potential jail sentences that you or your friends may receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer or a parole officer so questions about those subjects will be rejected. I am a police officer with 26 years experience. Can answer questions about crime, police procedure, investigations, criminal law, search and seizure, traffic offenses. Prefer not to answer questions on the death penalty. Please do not ask homework questions. Remember this. The law in every state is different so questions about laws that are specific to your state could be difficult to answer. I also cannot give you legal advice on what to do or not to do in court. I have worked with authors in the past and will be happy to review scenarios or plots with authors to check for believability or accuracy.

Experience

Police officer with 26 years experience. Ten years in patrol and sixteen years in the detective bureau investigating every type of crime including murder, rape, robbery, theft, fraud, missing persons, etc, etc. Also taught at the police academy in areas such as constitutional law, search and seizure, and lineups.

Education/Credentials
B.S. in Criminology from the University of Maryland.

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