Should I pay or should I go (to the bank)
Discussion
Newbie here, invited along by my good mate alcad
Have a question for you guys on here, on a recent road trip to the States I got a summons for speeding......it was a genuine mistake as the variable speed limit on I-10 had changed down to 60mph about half a mile before I got pulled over doing 74mph in what I thought was still a 70 zone.
Anyhow, I was advised by the Louisiana Sheriffs office that I could contest the case in court in January or pay the fine........a whopping $213!
I got a money order from a bank and was ready to mail it in when somebody told me when I got back that they had got a ticket when in the States and when ringing the US Embassy to ask what to do were told to not bother paying it.
They seemed to think that when by the time the paper work filters through for them to chase you for what amounts to about £100 then they will simply write it off due to the fact you are from another country, they have no link between your drivers license and passport so nothing can be done to stop you leaving or entering the US and the laws that apply to any offence are State Laws and not national so, for example, California aren't necessarily bothered that you have been stopped for speeding last year 2,500 miles and 5 States away!
The only problem may arise if I was going back to Louisiana in the short term and got caught for another offence, which won't happen as I won't be going back to Louisiana (although I probably will go back to the States this year and don't want to affect my entrance to the country).
Anybody got any experience / views etc?
I have the money order here to pay the fine but, according to my building society, I can pay it back into my account at a charge of £6.50........and I can certainly use that money more than the Louisiana PD!
For the record, I got caught in Rapides........ironic or what?
2 Smokin Barrels said:
Knowing the Yanks you'll be on a computer system somewhere. Next time you go you'll arrive at immigration & there'll be flasing lights, a claxon & you'll be chucked in irons. I think if it were me I'd pay, it's not a lot of dough for peace of mind.
My thoughts exactly.
Just pay, its not worth the chance of hassle.
Bin it, frame it, set fire to it but don't pay it!
I'm quite proud of the fact that I have 3 moving violation tickets and 1 stationary on my various travels in the US. I've never paid one of them.
I have also flew into and departed from the same states that I collected the tickets in.
There is no link from the DMV to your passport or customs officers.
I can also confirm that this scenario also works in Australia and Mexico
I'm quite proud of the fact that I have 3 moving violation tickets and 1 stationary on my various travels in the US. I've never paid one of them.
I have also flew into and departed from the same states that I collected the tickets in.
There is no link from the DMV to your passport or customs officers.
I can also confirm that this scenario also works in Australia and Mexico
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