Got a speeding ticket in Washington... what happens if I don't pay it?

[Super_Geo]

I got a speeding ticket for going 80mph in a 70mph zone in Washington over the weekend while driving to Sasquatch. I've heard that if you don't pay it they can put out a warrant for your arrest in Washington, but that it gets taken off of the system in 5 years. I was driving my friend's car at the time (he was also in the car). I think it's only for $130US, so if there's going to be some seroius consequence to not paying (ie: my friend's car would get stopped at the border) or something I'll just pony up and pay it... otherwise.......

Also, will a US ticket get me demerits as well?

[bobby_lu]

probably some dogs giving you an enema next time you try crossing the border...

[eb0i]

Kinda sucks that they didn't give you a break on the ticket by giving you a warning. I think I would just pay the ticket rather than having something show up on the US System when I cross over into their border in the future.

[benyl]

I am surprised that they didn't make you pay right away.

Anyway, they will put out a warrant. It will pop up any time you go into Washington. It may even show up if you enter the US at another port or entry. Not worth it.

[ICEBERG]

Yeah, i would just pay the ticket and get it over with. Next time you cross in to U.S it might cause a problem for you.

[tictactoe2004]

10 years ago i would have just said fuck it, with the way the states are now I wouldnt want to risk it over that kind of $$$...

[DNSDJS]

yeah i would just pay...
they might put out a warrant and then who knows what can happen..... better safe than sorry...

[Jason04S1]

I got a ticket on the way back to canada in Arizona, AND Utah.

They said that if i don't pay it (which i didn't) that I will have a warrant out, and that i can not enter that specific state anymore.

I had 30 days to contact the judge and tell them that im from Canada and will not be paying it and they might cut me a break but i forgot to do that.

They said it does not interact with Canadian systems so any registry or your insurance company could not tell you have those outstanding tickets in the U.S.


Call the judge and let him/her know your situation, and if all else fails just don't go back there for a while.

[celly]

I got a WA ticket 18 years ago. The cop that wrote me up told me not to bother paying it (then why write it?!?!). Anyhow, several years later they had given the ticket to a collection agency and they pestered me for months before they gave up.

I think I've got outstanding tickets in ND and ID as well.

[ken-gsr]

Yeah I wouldn’t risk ruining your credit over $130US. Plus you never know, maybe next time your flying somewhere in the US they might give you problems.

[dr_jared88]

just pay the ticket

[theken]

pay it

[toyboy88]

Originally posted by ICEBERG
Yeah, i would just pay the ticket and get it over with. Next time you cross in to U.S it might cause a problem for you.

no question

[asuth077]

I wouldn't mess with the US. There have been some crazy stories about people being turned away at the border.

I saw on the news the story about this professor at a University in Vancouver who wrote a paper about psychological affects of acid in the 60's (mentioned first-hand experiences). When he went to drive across the border the guy googled his name, showed him the screen and asked if that was him. The guy said yes and the crossing guard said the US didn't permit users of drugs into their country. To boot, he is no longer allowed into the US since he got turned away for a drug related incident and he has to go through a long appeals process if he wants to ever enter the US.

This is a story I found on google, but the actual story was on Global National.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/14/news/legal.php

Anywho, I would just pay it, who knows what they will keep you out for these days.

[kertejud]

^^^

Ross Rebagliati wasn't allowed to go to Salt Lake City in 2002 to watch the Olympics because of his admitted marijuana use.

[benyl]

Originally posted by ken-gsr
Yeah I wouldn’t risk ruining your credit over $130US. Plus you never know, maybe next time your flying somewhere in the US they might give you problems.

Your credit cannot be affected by a speeding ticket IN Canada, let alone the US.

[ken-gsr]

Originally posted by benyl


Your credit cannot be affected by a speeding ticket IN Canada, let alone the US.

sorry I dont have first hand experience. It seemed logical.

[SJW]

I've got tickets in 4 states. Never paid em. Never had problems.

[grock698]

http://dw.courts.wa.gov/index.cfm?fa=home.home

check this site out i to had a ticket in washington and i was able to find out on this site if there was a warrent out for my arrest since i did get it last year.

Pretty handy site.

[929]

I've had tickets in the US, I pay them the same day so that I don't forget. The pickle might end up being that you aren't allowed into the US at a later date. One was for expired registration on a friends car. If it's only $130.00 I would consider paying it and not worrying about it.,