If Iaccidentally failed to pay a fine, if I pay it now will the charges most likely be dropped?
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If Iaccidentally failed to pay a fine, if I pay it now will the charges most likely be dropped?
I am currently paying on a surcharge through my state’s driver responsibility program. I didn’t know that it was for 3 years, so paid off a year and left it alone assuming it was over. When I was pulled over the officer informed me my license was suspended for the last 4 months. I didn’t receive any letter informing me about the suspension. I already paid the surcharge and my license should be re-instated before my court date. I was just wondering since it was an honest mistake if I would still be penalized for it?
Asked on June 21, 2011 under General Practice, Texas
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You have a responsibility as a driver to ensure you are properly licensed and properly insured, among other responsibilities. If you have a fine (through a ticket or court ordered penalty), then you have a responsibility to ensure those fines are fully paid and make sure you keep the proper paperwork for it. Here, if you had a surcharge, you need to first find the original paperwork and find out if you were to only pay for one year or until it was paid off and if you had the total amount owed. Once you find out, then you will know if the pay off satisfied it or if the DMV made a mistake. If you have a court date, make sure you have all of that paperwork ready to go and show you honestly thought (based on documentation) that you satisfied the surcharge.
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