Speeding Ticket in the US

[rsalomon]

Last July I was caught in NY State doing 73 in a 55. Part that sucked the most is I was coming back from Pittsburgh making great time and then got busted less than 20 minutes from the border.

Anyhow, to this point I have not paid the ticket. I received a notice the other day from the State of New York inquiring about payment.

My question is, what are the ramifications if I do not pay the ticket? I assume I am protected living in Canada from prosecution, however I assume if I ever get stopped for speeding in the US I am in a bit of trouble, but how much? Also, any issues with immigration at Pearson when I go to Vegas next month? I have to guess that there is no way this would be entered into any sort of database.

If anyone has any experience with this sort of thing or is familiar with the law and could give me some advice I would appreciate it.

 

[Morgan Ellis]

I can't quote the law on this one, but I can quote personal experience...

My ex and I were driving near Alexandria Bay in NY State a few years back, and he was pulled over for speeding. Turns out he'd gotten a ticket in NY state a few years prior to this, and hadn't paid it, and a warrant had been issued as a result.

They put him the back of the cruiser and took him to jail, leaving me to drive the car and frantically try to find a bank machine to take the fine money out of.

We had to then arrange to find a municipal office (I believe it was a JP), and pay the fine. He was held until I had proof this had been done. All in all, he spent about three hours in a holding cell - and all for a speeding ticket.

My advice would be to pay it, if you're ever going to drive there again...

-- Morgan

 

[Warm Hands]

I was in a similar situation to this in New York about 10 years ago. I was popped for speeding, and the cop claimed that I was doing 62 mph in a posted 40 zone, and that he paced me for a distance of 15 city blocks. It was complete bullshit, so I went to court to fight it. The DA that I met with before court plea bargained me down to a parking ticket and a muffler violation, but warned me that the judge would set the fine once I plead guilty. I plead guilty when it was my turn, and the judge set the fine at $250 US, inclusive of court costs. I felt like I was on "Let's Make a Deal". All they wanted was my money.

When I was signing off on the paperwork, the court clerk told me I could just send a money order when I got home. I asked what would happen if I failed to pay, and she said that a bench warrant would be issued for my arrest, so the next time I tried to cross the border I would be arrested if my ID or licence plate was entered in to the system.

I'll second Morgan's advice. There is a reciprocal agreement between Ontario and NY, so it will appear on your driver's abstract for the next three years as soon as the conviction is entered. If your insurance checks your record on renewal, you'll be paying for the next three years.

 

[rsalomon]

Wow! Thanks I am putting the check in the mail today!!

 

[Why Not?]

It is my understanding that Ontario has negotitated a reciprocal enforcement agreement on certain traffice offences with many states. I don't know if New York is one of them and if speeding is one of the offences but you may also find yourself unable to renew your license here.

 

[MajorWood]

Not much they could do if your not planning a return trip, but if you are, then what Morgan and other have says it correct. A warrant will be issue in that state, and next time you will be going to jail plus fine. I would say just pay the fine.

Wonder if this is the case if American caught speeding in Canada?

 

[TheNiteHwk]

Wow! Thanks I am putting the check in the mail today!!

Good choice. Because the next time you try to enter the states via road, water, rail, or air. If you have any unpaid fines, tickets etc... you will be arressted.

 

[Why Not?]

Not much they could do if your not planning a return trip, ...

Guess again.

the following is an extract from Ontario's 2003 Road Saftey Bill at http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/bills/20374.htm

"Section 40 currently allows the Minister, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, to enter into reciprocal agreements with a state of the United States of America to provide for sanctioning by the licensing jurisdiction for offences committed in the reciprocal jurisdiction and for issuing driver's licences in exchange for the driver's licence issued by the reciprocal jurisdiction. This is amended in two ways: provinces and territories of Canada are added to the reciprocal jurisdictions with which agreements can be made; authority is added to enter into agreements for the suspension of a person's driver's licence for failure to pay a fine, penalty or costs imposed for an offence committed in the reciprocal jurisdiction. "

If there is a reciprocal agreement with NY it will likely get enforced here.

 

[Mufflicker]

As far as I know there is a reciprocal agreement between NY and Ontario. IIRC In the 80's NY formed an agreemnet with Quebec, they proceeded to write 700 tickets in a day on the Northway(I87) ouch

 

[The_Ladies_Man]

It is my understanding that Ontario has negotitated a reciprocal enforcement agreement on certain traffice offences with many states. I don't know if New York is one of them and if speeding is one of the offences but you may also find yourself unable to renew your license here.

The only states that have a reciprocity treaty with Canada are New York and Michigan. So if you have an offense in these states, it will carry over into Ontario. All other states are exempt. My friend had received a speeding ticket in Virginia and after talking to his lawyer friend also the Motor Vechile Bureau of Ontario, all he has to worry about is paying the fine ... he will not lose any demerit points or be affected on insurance. Virginia and other exempt states will not send anything to the Motor Vechile Bureau of Ontario to let them know about an offense.

 

[RayFinkel]

Guess again.

the following is an extract from Ontario's 2003 Road Saftey Bill at http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/bills/20374.htm

"Section 40 currently allows the Minister, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, to enter into reciprocal agreements with a state of the United States of America to provide for sanctioning by the licensing jurisdiction for offences committed in the reciprocal jurisdiction and for issuing driver's licences in exchange for the driver's licence issued by the reciprocal jurisdiction. This is amended in two ways: provinces and territories of Canada are added to the reciprocal jurisdictions with which agreements can be made; authority is added to enter into agreements for the suspension of a person's driver's licence for failure to pay a fine, penalty or costs imposed for an offence committed in the reciprocal jurisdiction. "

If there is a reciprocal agreement with NY it will likely get enforced here.

Wanna dumb it down a tad, thanks

Another fact. USA plates or anything thats not Canadian get to drive on the 407 for free.

 

[Mr. K]

Wanna dumb it down a tad, thanks

Another fact. USA plates or anything thats not Canadian get to drive on the 407 for free.

Actually, they don't get to drive for free, their just isn't any enforcement for jurisdictions other than Ontario.

Part of the original 407ETR agreement with the Province of Ontario included the caveat that unpaid tolls would result in the inability to re-register the vehicle when the plates expire, much the same way parking tickets work. Oh, they don't pursue other provinces either.

 

[Don]

Another fact. USA plates or anything thats not Canadian get to drive on the 407 for free.

Not true. A buddy of mine came to visit me from NY and he took the 407 by accident. A month later he actually got a bill mailed to his home in NY for the charges.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Maybe he means there's no way for them to force you to pay?

 

[Rob Quarters]

Thats funny I have states plates on one of my trucks and have never been billed for using the 407

 

[Jacques_Offe]

Pay UP

They will throw ur ass in jail. Pay up and don't speed in the little towns if you cannot afford to pay. Speeding in the US is a growth industry......check website foir lists of known traps. Believe me they are there.

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

I would not pay it and just avoid going to new york state

 

[superquad1968]

...Part of the original 407ETR agreement with the Province of Ontario included the caveat that unpaid tolls would result in the inability to re-register the vehicle when the plates expire, much the same way parking tickets work. Oh, they don't pursue other provinces either.

Actually, this is untrue also. because of the squabbling over the toll rates the province is refusing to cater to the 407ETR consortium by not doing their collecting for them.