Traffic violation procedures
in Criminal and Misdemeanor Law ·
Hey everyone.
So, I just got a court summons today for some misdemeanor I committed about a month ago. Well, technically it arrived while I was out, so the mail carrier just left a notice saying I could pick it up at the local post office. I’m wondering, if I just don't bother picking it up, what happens next? Will they send another notice, and how long does that usually take? Here’s the deal: I’m heading out to work at the coast in ten days. If I go to the post office and grab this summons, it means I’ve been officially notified and I'm expected to show up in court (correct me if I'm wrong here). The problem is, the court probably scheduled the hearing for a time when I won't even be in Washington, D.C. anymore. I was thinking maybe I could use this to stall the whole thing for at least two months. I highly doubt they'd be cool about me calling them to ask if I can push the hearing until after my trip. Is there any chance they'll just hold the hearing without me since I haven't technically "received" the notice, and just hand down a fine without letting me defend myself? Thanks in advance.
So, I just got a court summons today for some misdemeanor I committed about a month ago. Well, technically it arrived while I was out, so the mail carrier just left a notice saying I could pick it up at the local post office. I’m wondering, if I just don't bother picking it up, what happens next? Will they send another notice, and how long does that usually take? Here’s the deal: I’m heading out to work at the coast in ten days. If I go to the post office and grab this summons, it means I’ve been officially notified and I'm expected to show up in court (correct me if I'm wrong here). The problem is, the court probably scheduled the hearing for a time when I won't even be in Washington, D.C. anymore. I was thinking maybe I could use this to stall the whole thing for at least two months. I highly doubt they'd be cool about me calling them to ask if I can push the hearing until after my trip. Is there any chance they'll just hold the hearing without me since I haven't technically "received" the notice, and just hand down a fine without letting me defend myself? Thanks in advance.