Back in March I was issued a trespassing citation in a state park for being in an unauthorized area, the citation was for $100 which at the time I could not pay (being a student barely able to make rent). I thought I had made my situation clear to the park ranger, to whom I was very respectful towards and who in return treated me very graciously, while she was issuing all 12 of us our written citations. Upon recieving my ticket I read it thoroughly and found that according the language of the ticket I was not required to pay it. Let me explain,
One the front side of the citation there is a section B which states "If Box B is checked, you must pay amount indicated below or appear in court(see instruction on back)" and on the back there is a corresponding section that reads "IF BOX B IS CHECKED ON THE FACE OF THIS VIOLATION NOTICE YOU MUST DO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: 1. PAY THE TOTAL COLLATERAL DUE AMOUNT SPECIFIED. OR 2. APPEAR IN COURT" with directions on how to do either following. What I came to assume though was that my box was not checked. And comparing it with those around me whose boxes definitely were checked I assumed that it was an act of kindness of the part of the officer. There were two other students with me who had similiar stories and lo' and behold unchecked Box B's. I assumed this meant I did not have to pay the citation, and the officer explained what would happen if I chose to not pay the citation.
Here is what she said would happen: I would recieve a summons in the mail 1 month later, if I ignore that a warrant would be issued for my arrest. So I chose not to pay the ticket to test my hypothesis but also so that I could plead for community service in court seeing as I couldn't possibly (and sadly so) come up with $100 for groceries let alone a ticket. I waited and nothing happened and I assumed this was because the officer felt sorry for the sob story I had told her.
So it is 6 months later and the park ranger calls me on my phone and tells me I have not handled my business regarding the citation and they have nowhere to send mail to because I moved and did not leave an address. She says to call the clerk of the court whose number she will provide me with when she CALLS RIGHT BACK. It has been five days and she has not called back. What should I do in this case? I have already tried calling the clerk of the court to ask them myself, but I can't get through.
One the front side of the citation there is a section B which states "If Box B is checked, you must pay amount indicated below or appear in court(see instruction on back)" and on the back there is a corresponding section that reads "IF BOX B IS CHECKED ON THE FACE OF THIS VIOLATION NOTICE YOU MUST DO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: 1. PAY THE TOTAL COLLATERAL DUE AMOUNT SPECIFIED. OR 2. APPEAR IN COURT" with directions on how to do either following. What I came to assume though was that my box was not checked. And comparing it with those around me whose boxes definitely were checked I assumed that it was an act of kindness of the part of the officer. There were two other students with me who had similiar stories and lo' and behold unchecked Box B's. I assumed this meant I did not have to pay the citation, and the officer explained what would happen if I chose to not pay the citation.
Here is what she said would happen: I would recieve a summons in the mail 1 month later, if I ignore that a warrant would be issued for my arrest. So I chose not to pay the ticket to test my hypothesis but also so that I could plead for community service in court seeing as I couldn't possibly (and sadly so) come up with $100 for groceries let alone a ticket. I waited and nothing happened and I assumed this was because the officer felt sorry for the sob story I had told her.
So it is 6 months later and the park ranger calls me on my phone and tells me I have not handled my business regarding the citation and they have nowhere to send mail to because I moved and did not leave an address. She says to call the clerk of the court whose number she will provide me with when she CALLS RIGHT BACK. It has been five days and she has not called back. What should I do in this case? I have already tried calling the clerk of the court to ask them myself, but I can't get through.