So scared. Will I be jailed?

[RealScared]

Right now I'm 24. When I was 20 and going to college in central Illinois, I committed a city ordinance violation and was ticketed for unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor. I was issued a fine and never paid it. About 6 months ago, a letter was sent to me telling me that I had a court date in late November. I did not go to this court date. A week ago, I notified the police after I was assaulted at a local YMCA. Believing I had paid the fine, and thinking that the letter I received was a mistake, I didn't think twice about calling the police. After telling the police officer my story, he informed me I had a warrant out for my arrest. After waiting around for half an hour or so, the county where I originally was issued the city ordinance violation ticket contacted the police from the county I currently living in, and told them to jail me until I could be extradited and meet with a judge. Having no money on me to bail myself out, I had to spend 4 hours in jail before my fiance came to bail me out (I've never been arrested before).

Now I am starting to worry. If this county is willing to extradite me from a county 4 hours away for a consumption ticket I received 4 years ago and 3 months before my 21st birthday, what else are they willing to do? I've been a model citizen outside of 1 speeding ticket and my consumption ticket. If I had known how serious this was, paying off my original fine would have been priority number one. I also am broke, as well as my fiance. I have to drive 3 hours, have already spent 4 hours in jail, was humiliated being handcuffed at my YMCA, embarrassed for having to ask to sleep on an old friend's couch from college, and extremely anxious, embarrassed, scared, sad, and somewhat hopeless.

I have a court date this coming Tuesday. Can anyone give me advice? I'm afraid that if I can't pay my original fine they are going to put me in jail and keep me there. I have a job and am a full time student. This could put me back months.

[Goood]

So sorry to hear about your problem. The only advice I could offer you is to appear in court and possibly get a public defender. I also doubt that you will be jailed so long as you are able to pay the fine.

[philippines law firm]

You should appear in court hearings when they call you or you should consult a public lawyer to know what legal actions you can do

[josh@riversidui]

So sorry to hear about your problem. The only advice I could offer you is to appear in court and possibly get a public defender. I also doubt that you will be jailed so long as you are able to pay the fine.

Thats the right thing to do...and thats the consequences of out action.

[Court Reporting]

Ohh god..!!

But i am agree to Goood. In my opinion he is right..!!

Let's hope for the best.

[anokhi]

he only advice I could offer you is to appear in court and possibly get a public defender. I also doubt that you will be jailed so long as you are able to pay the fine.

[Hybrid]

That sucks man. Here's what I would do. (I am not an atorney, so double
check this)
1) Go to your court date. Plan to say over night, because you could get there at your schedule time, only to find that court is adjurne until the next day. You MUST be there on time. If you can't get transportation call the police, and they will drive you.
2) Get a public defender. Believe it or not, those guys are good. They deal with this kind of stuff ALL the time.
3) The first day your in court, ask the judge if the case can be moved
to your home town. He should be happy to pawn this off onto some one elses
docket.

Technicaly, you did violate the law by not showing up for court. It doesn't matter if it was a mistake on their part; that's what court is for - to determine if their claims are accurate. You most likely will not get jail time, but you could get a nasty fine. You really just have to hope the judge is really nice and gives you an ACD. (Adjurned in contemplation of dismissal. If he gives you that, just stay out of trouble, go back in 6 months, and it all goes away) Your most likely to get that of you cooperate with the A.D.A.

Good luck!

[emily]

I think the problem you got into was not worth a good day of drinking back then. I would advice you to consult a good lawyer and just go to court on the day you have been summoned.
There would never have been any problem if you would have attended to it on time.
Anyways there is nothing to be worried about now, just stay put.

[CriminalAttorney]

there is no need for panic. you only had a ticket for drinking. do as others in this forum have advised, go to court, pay the ticket. but seek the help of a professional attorney who specializes in juvenile charges. since you're on a tight budget, there are pro bono lawyers out there who are very good.

[boomer mitra]

If you avoid the hearing of the court the you can get to jail...the best thing is to do what the justice is saying