Parking ticket, now court date for a car I sold

[sprebound]

I sold a vehicle on 7/7/10 and didn't take the title to the registrar to clear my name on it. I did report the information through the website mndriveinfo the day of the sale. There was a parking ticket issued to the car on 11/13/10 that was sent to my old address because I hadn't renewed my license to my new (current) address; yes I know I was supposed to do that within 30 days.

I received a letter stating that I had failed to pay the fine on time and was issued a court date about three weeks ago. I have a bill of sale but the purchaser didn't sign it, instead I was stupid and wrote his name in. I have the "seller notice of sale" torn off the title with his drivers license information written on it in his own hand writing. I also just contacted the buyer tonight and it sounds as though he is willing to work with me.

What I need to know is, without a completed bill of sale do I have a case that I can win? Also, it shows that this will be a petty misdemeanor and I don't want that on my record because I am wanting to apply to the airlines within the next year or two. I've heard that petty misdemeanors don't show up on your criminal record in Minnesota because it's not a criminal offense. Example being my roommate who received a $150 open container violation at a U of MN game. He paid the ticket and it doesn't show up on his criminal record...

I'd be fine taking the hit for $37 if it means that I don't have to waste $100 in gas driving back and forth. BUT, I don't want to do that if it is going to show up on any records. I'm hoping someone with knowledge can help me out here. Thanks

 

[mightymoose]

The ticket is $37?
Your simplest solution here is to pay the ticket and inform the state of the sale to get you off the registration.

 

[sprebound]

Right, but the specific issue I have is if I pay the ticket will it end up on my record? MN law states that petty misdemeanor is not considered a criminal offense so that to me means it won't be on my criminal record, but does that mean it goes on my driving record? I have too many student loans to pay back if this is going to affect my ability to find a job in a few years, that is my main worry. The word misdemeanor isn't comforting to me.

 

[army judge]

Right, but the specific issue I have is if I pay the ticket will it end up on my record? MN law states that petty misdemeanor is not considered a criminal offense so that to me means it won't be on my criminal record, but does that mean it goes on my driving record? I have too many student loans to pay back if this is going to affect my ability to find a job in a few years, that is my main worry. The word misdemeanor isn't comforting to me.

This is nothing.

It is a parking ticket that has apparently gone unpaid.

Until it is paid, it is going to gather additional fees.

Its a lousy $37, pay it and be done with this madness.

Then do as Moose wisely counseled, otherwise this nothing will become something.

 

[sprebound]

Thanks for the advice guys, I finally got a call back 10 mins ago from the county attorney's office saying that they are going to dismiss the case...thank god! Once again, thanks for helping!