Long story short. I moved about 9 months ago. While at the BMV to renew tags, they told me I have a warrant. Apparently, the warrant was from almost a year ago, and the notice to appear in court was never received. My question is this, if I go to the courts, can I just pay the fine, or do I have to actually go to jail? It's not that I don't have the money, it's just that I had no idea I owed for anything, or had a court date. It's over a dog fine, for a dog my ex owned,and he told me all of it had been taken care of. Please help. I'm a single mom who works 2 jobs and I can't go to jail. I just want this taken care of... thanks

If it's over a dog license in my area you go to the Court, pay the fine, they drop the charge. It's not like a MV violation.

I don't understand why you are being asked to pay a fine for your ex's dog. Is the Court aware it was not your dog?

I don't see jail here. I do see a lecture.

Best bet, call the court and see what arrangements, in some you make arrangemetns for bail till a court date, many warrants require a court appearance and they will not set one until you are "in custody" so it is common ( and I don't know dog cases they were not criminal matters in our court) But in our courts you had to show up to police station, be booked, and arrange bail, then released at the same time.