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If you are issued a ticket for a traffic violation, it can easily tarnish a person’s day. However, it will only get worse if you delay taking care of it.

Upon receiving a ticket, you will find all of the necessary information, including:

• The Ticketed Offense
• The Fine Amount
• Where to Pay
• Payment Due Date
• Where and When to Appeal the Violation

It is crucial to pay attention to this information and address it accordingly. While state laws vary, failure to pay a driving or parking ticket can result in serious consequences.

Consequences of Unpaid Tickets

Increased Fines

As a traffic violation goes unpaid by the due date, the ticket fine often increases. Local and state government gain revenue through speeding and parking tickets, so the incentive for determining fines is generally to keep them as high as possible. Even one day past a fine’s due date can cause a serious increase in the amount you are expected to pay.  

Warrants for Arrest

Failing to pay a traffic violation fine long past its due date and failure to appear in court to fight the offense can actually lead to a bench warrant being issued for your arrest. Once a judge puts out a bench warrant, you can be arrested and then taken to court. After being picked up on a warrant, it is possible you will be held in jail until there is a hearing on your case. If you are found guilty of failing to appear in court, you may be sentenced to jail time, as well as an order to pay even more fees.

Other Consequences Include:

• Suspended Driver’s License: Failing to pay a ticket can also result in a suspended driver’s license. With that, if you drive while your license is suspended, that can also lead to another ticket or criminal charge.
• Inability to Renew Driver’s License or Vehicle Registration: In many states, delayed payment of a traffic violation can stall paperwork processing if you need to renew your driver’s license or vehicle registration.
• Increased Car Insurance Rates: Traffic violation can cause your car insurance premiums to go up, and failure to pay a ticket will only make the increases more significant.

Seek Legal Help

If you are looking to appeal a ticketed violation or penalties from failing to pay your ticket, seeking legal help from an attorney can help you protect your rights to gain the best possible outcome for your case. At Pappalardo & Pappalardo, LLP, our traffic ticket lawyers have vast experience in handling various traffic violations in Westchester, NYC, and the surrounding areas.

Our priority is to preserve our client’s licenses and driving privileges, as well as restore driving privileges that have been previously suspended.

Ultimately, it is crucial that you do not wait to pay a driving or parking ticket. While being issued a fine for a traffic violation can be frustrating, it only gets worse if it is not dealt with appropriately.