Hello, I am a new resident to the State of Tennessee. I was pulled over on a moped in July 2010. I was given a ticket for Driving While Suspended. Officer states that if you get your license, bring it to court and it will probably be dropped. So, I go to court; I get an extension. At the next court date; I get to court early and I see two DA's or Public Defenders taking names. So, I assumed that they were taking the court load off the Judge. So, I approach the Public defender or whoever and give them my name. She ask me " Do you have your license"? I stated to her: "Not on me, but, I am valid now in the state of Indiana" She has an co worker call it in. He confirms what I told her. Then she tells me that if I pay 250 today it would be dropped and that she could give me a plea to drop it down to Driving Without Your License(i.e. like leaving it at home when you got pulled over). I told her I couldn't pay the whole 250. So, she sends me to room to do 30 days Probation. Like a jackass I commit to the Probation.

The date of Court was 12/20/2010. Once I received my papers to call Probation on 1/5/2011. I again assumed this was the beginning of Probation... WRONG!! Two weeks had passed and my date of completion was 1/18/11! So, when I reported (called) I had less than two weeks to pay 310.00! So, I only had to make 2 phonecalls and pay my fee and I would be done.. So, a week prior to the 18th. I spoke with my probation officer and informed her that I could not pay that money by the 18th. She replied that, A warrant will have to be issued for non payment and I would be ORR (Released). So, it takes about 2 weeks for the warrant to process; I go to the jail, fingerprinted, then released. Before I leave the jail, the processing officer ask "What date would you like for court"? I had the choice of 3 dates; 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days from the processing date of being released. I chose May 2.

So, I called my probation officer and left a message about the release and gave her my new court date and if she could return my call. No callback. So now its Feb 21 2011 and I just find out that I was suppose to continue reporting everyweek until I go to court on May 2!. I believe if I only pay the cost of 310.00 and then show up for court regarding the violation then I will be done. But, I did speak with the jail and told them the story and there is no warrant on me now for not reporting. They stated that I should call my officer, which I did and left her a lengthy message to call me... So, I am looking for help on this issue. I have no problem with paying my fee, but to hell with staying on probation until May! I would rather sit in jail and get it over with. How much time would I do. Thanks, Confused

but to hell with staying on probation til May! I would rather sit in jail and get it over with. How much time would I do. Thanks, ConfusedHello b:

You're going to need a lawyer to straighten this out... You CAN'T do jail time for not having a drivers license. You CAN'T do jail time for not having money... They're screwing you over, as if you didn't know that... But, knowing that isn't helping, is it? You need somebody who can DO something about it, and only a lawyer can.

excon

Thank you for the reply ExCon. Give me more details as to why you claim I can't do jail time? It's not going to be dropped cause I can't pay. And remember, everyone you ask that breaks the law believes they're in jail cause it's "bullsh@T". I was wrong for not having my license on that mopad.

Thank you for the reply ExCon. Give me more details as to why you claim I can't do jail time? I was wrong for not having my license on that mopad.Hello again, b:

Yes, you should have had a license... But NOT having one is an infraction NOT punishable by jail time. Of course, if you ignored the court, it COULD turn into jail... Nonetheless, no matter what I tell you, WHAT are you going to do about it? Are you going to tell your PO that he CAN'T put you in jail because some exconvict on the internet told you so?? Yeah, that's going to work.

You need a lawyer.

excon