Legal Question in Traffic Law in Missouri

I've had problems of a simple parking ticket for two years- I paid the ticket via a money order but they claim to have never gotten it. They put a warrant out and I was arrested, paid bail but was required to be at court in another county the same night because they were he ones who arrested me- their court started earlier so I went there first. I tried to change my court date with both and both refused. I missed the second court date but had proof from the other judge that I was in his court. The other court put a warrant out again! I turned myself in and put up a bond but they did not take the warrant off and I was arrested again and the same hing happened- now the original court is demanding 1000 dollars and planning to keep my other bonds- over 200 dollars. I was under the impression you could not do this as I was 'in the custody' of another court and unable to attend court. I have proof, and I notified the court immediately each time. I've had issues with the original court before- they tried to arrest me for fake court documents when I brought in proof of a paid ticket (the pink receipt) before a clerk stepped in and told the judge it was real. They've also gotten a lot of their records wrong in the past....is there any way I can end this nonsense? They've already cost me hundreds on a ticket I already sent them money for! I want my money back and this to go away but now I can't pay the bond because I'm a student and I don't HAVE 1000 dollars to spare. I also was told by a clerk if I refused bond they might set my court date up to three months later then if I paid. In short if I don't pay them they'll hold me three times as long! I'd lose my job. Is this even legal?! The ticket was for 35 dollars and I could prove they had no legal basis to give me the ticket and I know MO law states you can't hold it against someone for missing a court appearance because they were in another court.


Asked on 8/20/11, 4:50 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

You have tried addressing htis matter Pro Se (on your own). it appears that you need to retrian legal counsle to either represnet you,or walk you through the process of untangling this web. Although your situation is rare, it is not unique. Those well intentioned people seemed to get out f the situation quicker and better after they hired an attorney. the judge may allow you attorney to get concessions that you alone cannot. If this all stemmed from a single parking ticket,. it shoud not take too long for your attorney to get it resolved. Many traffic law attornies offer a free or low cost initial consultation. Take all your paperwork to one very soon.

As you can really only give a general description of the facts here, it is impossible to give you specific advice about how to fix your problemon your own. You need someone that has access to the specific facts of your case.

Good luck

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Answered on 8/21/11, 7:50 pm


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