A warning is the same thing as a ticket?

[spoonraker]

I got pulled over a few weeks ago because I had expired registration tags. Also at the time of the stop I didn't have proof of insurance. I had insurance, but I took it inside and left it in front of my computer to remind me to renew my plates. :lol:

Anyway, I got pulled over by a state patrol officer, and he gave me a warning. Not a ticket, a warning. However, he told me that I still had to show up for court. I was confused since I've never had to show up in court for a warning before. Anyway, so today I went in to court, and was surprised when they told me it was just an arraignment. I pleaded not guilty to both charges, got my trial date, and then went immediately up to the county prosecutors office with my renewed registration and proof that I was insured at the time of the stop. The prosecutor dropped all charges, but I still had to pay $48 court costs.

My question is, since when has a "warning" meant that you have charges filed and a court appearance? The officer was very clear that it was a warning and not a ticket and "there is no fine".

[01SOMZ28]

wtf?

[Alley]

did you sign the warning?

[spoonraker]

I don't remember if I signed anything at the time of the stop or not, this was several weeks ago.

I've never been pulled over by NSP before, only city cops. The piece of paper he gave me was nearly as big as a regular piece of 8.5x11 printer paper, it wasn't one of those tall and skinny things printed on thick paper that you get from city cops.

[BOORAH]

Yeah they print them right in the car. I've never had a court appearance for a warning, and I've got plenty of warnings from NSP.

[Kelvin]

a cop will tell you anything to get what he wants. he made the state 48 dollars and wasted your time. you should of took care of it the next day. GRATZ

[spoonraker]

a cop will tell you anything to get what he wants. he made the state 48 dollars and wasted your time. you should of took care of it the next day. GRATZ

When I spoke to the county attorney I asked her if I had come in before the court date and gotten it taken care of then if I would still owe the $48 for court costs, she said it would have made no difference.

I really have no idea what happened. The state patrolman made it very clear that this was just a warning and there would be no fine, but I had an arraignment and trial with charges just like a regular ticket.

[Z28]

This is weird

[Alley]

Wether or not you signed the ticket/warning makes a huge difference in this story.

[spoonraker]

Nothing really makes any difference now. I went to court, got the charges dropped, and paid the court costs. I can't really say I'm disappointed, since I didn't have to pay the $125 fine that would have gone alone with the two charges in addition to the court costs. I'm just confused about what actually happened.

My only guesses are
1)The cop misspoke
2)Somebody filed something wrong which turned my warning into a ticket

[regal403]

Scan it and post it up for us.

Posted via Mobile Device

[turbodaytona87]

When I had my ticket for expired tags (Jeep was sitting parked, not even being driven). I just went in within 10 days and they dropped it without the court costs.

[spoonraker]

Scan it and post it up for us.

Posted via Mobile Device

I would, but I chucked it in the trash on my way out of the courthouse. :headchop:

[JesterMX6]

he misspoke. it was a ticket. not a warning.

having been served plenty of warnings from our beloved NSP i can say that with pretty much 100% certainty.

[82355]

I have received more warnings than I can remember, you don't have to go to court.

Martin

[spoonraker]

Guess next time I should video tape the traffic stop so maybe I could prove that he told me it was a warning and not a ticket. Of course then I'd probably get the book thrown at me for some obscure outdated wiretapping law like that biker in Maryland.

Oh well, court costs is better than a $100 ticket plus court costs I guess.

[talon2008]

Guess next time I should video tape the traffic stop so maybe I could prove that he told me it was a warning and not a ticket. Of course then I'd probably get the book thrown at me for some obscure outdated wiretapping law like that biker in Maryland.

Oh well, court costs is better than a $100 ticket plus court costs I guess.

Better tell him its being recorded or thats against the law to. Trust me.. but as long as you have a voice recorder and you tell them "this conversation will be recorded for my own person use" they cant do a damn thing besides get allllll fired up.

[95HO]

He had to of misspoke. Because not having a vehicle tagged is an offense, but they can go either way with it.