Top 10 Tips for Prince William County Traffic Court
March 29, 2017 by Jean Humbrecht
Consult An Attorney If You Have A Case in the Prince William County Traffic Court
In this post, Prince William County traffic attorney Jean Humbrecht explains her top 10 tips for anyone with a case in the Prince William County traffic court. This post is useful for anyone with a case in the Prince William County traffic court, whether the case involves a minor traffic infraction or a serious criminal traffic offense.
Consult an Attorney
Do Not Ignore Your Court Date
If you have a pre-payable traffic ticket and you do not pay it before the court date, it is assumed that you are going to court to contest your ticket. If you do not show up, you will be tried (and most likely convicted) in your absence. In addition to a fine, you will be responsible for court costs. If you have a case in Prince William County traffic court which is NOT a pre-payable offense, such as reckless driving or DUI, and you do not show up, you may have an ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL charge for failure to appear and there will likely be a bench warrant out for your arrest.
Arrive Early
If you decide to contest your ticket, arrive early. Prince William County traffic court is very busy. There are many people on any given day, all with court at the same time. The security line often gets long. Additionally, make sure you arrive to your court room on time. If you are not in the court room and your name is called, you will likely be tried and found guilty in your absence. The judge could issue a bench warrant for your arrest if your offense could be punished with jail (such as reckless driving or even driving on a suspended license). If you arrive late, the judge may or may not hear your case in court that day. Your only recourse is to appeal.
Go to the Right Court Room
It might sound obvious, but every day defendants go to the wrong court room. Prince William County has five general district court rooms. Court is always packed with people and moves fast. If you are in the wrong court room, you will likely be tried and found guilty in your absence, or, as stated above, the court might issue a bench warrant for your arrest.
You Cannot Bring A Cell Phone Into the Prince William County Courthouse
Leave Your Cell Phone in the Car
You cannot bring a cell phone into the Prince William County courthouse. If you attempt to go through security with a phone, the deputies will send you back to your car to put it away. If there is a long line at security when you return, this could make you late for your court hearing. To prevent this from happening, leave your phone in the car so you do not have to make that second trip.
Dress Appropriately
Court is not a club. Court is not the beach. You do not need to wear an Armani suit, but dress nicely. It shows respect for the court, the judicial process, and that you are taking your case seriously.
Be Prepared for Additional Fees
Court costs are added to all cases that result in convictions in the Prince William County traffic court. Your court costs will be higher if you have a court-appointed attorney. Additionally, if you are paying your fines and court costs with a credit card, there is an automatic 4% fee added.
Fines and Court Costs Must be Paid Within 30 Days
If you do not pay off all of your fees you owe to the court within 30 days, the DMV will suspend your driver’s license. The clerk will likely grant you an extension to pay if you ask, but you must make the arrangements with the clerk’s office before the 30 days are over.
Be Prepared for the Outcome
Many Prince William County traffic court convictions can result in jail. Some of these offenses include driving on a suspended or revoked license, reckless driving, and DUI convictions. There is a very real possibility that if found guilty, you could be doing some active jail time. The sheriff will take you into custody immediately if you are sentenced to jail. Make sure your employer knows you might not be returning to work the next day if this pertains to you.
You Only Have 10 Days to Appeal a Conviction from the Prince William County Traffic Court
If you are going to appeal a Prince William County traffic court conviction, you only have ten days from the date you were convicted. There are NO exceptions.
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