Back in 2003 I was driving with a learner's permit when a cop decided to check my mothers plates and noticed the plates were suspended, so he gave me 3 tickets. Now I live in Florida and want to get my license, well last week I was stopped tailgateing a car. Now I have to show up to court later this month. I tried to get my license here in Florida but I can't do anything until I get it fixed in NY. I called the court to see what I can do to get it fixed, the said I have to get a lawyer because one of the tickets is a misdemeanor. My question is, will they see that here in Florida when I go to court and can I go to jail for that? And what if I do go and try to fix my permit in NY, will I have to do jail time for that misdemeanor?

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Originally Posted by cristinaluquez

Back in 2003 i was driving with a learner's permit when a cop decided to check my mothers plates and noticed the plates were suspended, so he gave me 3 tickets. Now I live in Florida and want to get my license, well last week i was stopped tailgateing a car. now i have to show up to court later this month. I tried to get my license here in Florida but I can't do anything until i get it fixed in NY. I called the court to see what i can do to get it fixed, the said i have to get a lawyer because one of the tickets is a misdemeanor. My question is, will they see that here in Florida when i go to court and can i go to jail for that? and what if i do go and try to fix my permit in NY, will i have to do jail time for that misdemeanor?

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Is there a warrant out for you because you did not appear in NY - ?

Hello christina:

I have several problems with your story.

Driving with suspended plates wouldn't result in a misdemeanor. Not paying your tickets won't turn them into misdemeanors. Therefore, you did something that the state thinks is criminal - NOT just a driving offense.

Next, you don't have to have a lawyer even if you ARE charged with a misdemeanor. By the way, what IS the charge? You MUST know.

So, you're either going to have to hire a lawyer in NY, and STILL have to travel there, or you can just go yourself. This ain't going to be handled long distance, and it ain't going to be cheap.

Or you can ignore all your tickets and keep on driving. That's what you've been doing.

excon

excon - wonderful advice. I really like the last part the best.

Well I was not speeding or anything, actually that was the first time I was EVER stopped, until now. I have never gotten in trouble. And when I called the court in NY they did tell me I had a warrant, that I can either turn myself in or show up to court. The tickets were only for not driving with a valid license, suspended plates and uninsured. So I really don't understand why this would be a misdemeanor... and would see that here in Florida when I show up in court?

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Originally Posted by cristinaluquez

Well i was not speeding or anything, actually that was the first time i was EVER stopped, until now. I have never gotten in trouble. And when i called the court in NY they did tell me i had a warrant, that i can either turn myself in or show up to court. The tickets were only for not driving with a valid license, suspended plates and uninsured. So i really dont understand why this would be a misdemeanor...and would see that here in Florida when i show up in court?

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They left out the third option - you can be arrested with an open warrant. Will they bother? They're the only ones who know.

It doesn't matter WHY it would be a misdemeanor - it IS a misdemeanor and that's what counts.

So you think it's okay to drive without a valid license, plates and insurance? Or am I misreading this?

No... the car was my mothers... she did not know the plates were suspended and that they had cancel her insurance. How was I to know all that when my mother herself did not know that. When I was stopped it wasn't dark out yet, from what I know you can drive unless it isn't dark w/ a learner permit

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Originally Posted by cristinaluquez

No... the car was my mothers... she did not know the plates were suspended and that they had cancel her insurance. How was i to know all that when my mother herself did not know that. When i was stopped it wasnt dark out yet, from what i know u can drive unless it isnt dark w/ a learner permit

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If the insurance company cancelled her policy for failure to pay and did not notify her, you have a legal action against the insurance company and I would strongly advise that you pursue it.

Both the insurance company and DMV in NYS have to notify you more than once and if the insurance company slipped up they should be held accountable.