Stopped with no license

[Wreck7]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida

Hey guys so i was pulled over the same night my wallet got stolen, this was in Miami Florida. The license that i had was from North Carolina. I told the cop all of this info and he said he couldn't find me. I eventually got a ticket for "no drivers license, never had one issued" But i did have a drivers license issued, only in NC and the license was not suspended and had no problems. Now i am back in NC and i couldnt attend court in FL so i have a bench warrant and i have to go back to go to court otherwise my license will be suspended. I have never been to court before, what should i expect when returning and speaking to the judge? Should i get a lawyer appointed? I do have evidence that i got from my doctors office, it's a copy of my drivers license and the date issued on the license was before i was pulled over, do i need anything else? The amount due is merely 25 dollars, would i go to jail for showing up to court that day? Thank you!

 

[justalayman]

You got a copy of your license from your doctors office?

What you need is proof you had a valid license from the state. That means you go to the DMV.

You have 2 charges against you now; the driving without a license and a failure to appear charge. I would suggest seeking the advice of a Florida attorney before showing up in court. They may be able to keep you out of jail or at least determine the bond so you can pay the bond as soon as you are arrested and booked

 

[Wreck7]

You got a copy of your license from your doctors office?

What you need is proof you had a valid license from the state. That means you go to the DMV.

You have 2 charges against you now; the driving without a license and a failure to appear charge. I would suggest seeking the advice of a Florida attorney before showing up in court. They may be able to keep you out of jail or at least determine the bond so you can pay the bond as soon as you are arrested and booked

yea, my doctor scanned my license when i first went to the office. The license that he scanned was issued before i was pulled over so it shows that i did have a valid license but that it was stolen, i told the cop this too and he didnt listen. I currently have my license now, and i can prob pull up the receipt of when i ordered my new one etc. They said i had a $2k bond. If i prove to them that i did have a valid license issued but just not on me, will they still keep me? The ticket says that i never had a drivers license issued period. They are only asking for 25 dollar fee for that ticket. Also i don't have money to hire a lawyer, aren't i allowed to a free one?

 

[justalayman]

What the doctor scanned is meaningless. At best it shows you did have a license but it says nothing of the condition of it (active, suspended, whatever).

Whether you are entitled to a free attorney varies with the charge and the state. In some states, unless there is a possibility of incarceration you do not get a public defender. In all states you must still qualify for one financially.

That still means you have to turn yourself in and be arrested and booked and wait for a first hearing before you can ask for one. In some states that can be a few days.

Is the bond you stated for the ticket or the failure to appear?

 

[Wreck7]

What the doctor scanned is meaningless. At best it shows you did have a license but it says nothing of the condition of it (active, suspended, whatever).

Whether you are entitled to a free attorney varies with the charge and the state. In some states, unless there is a possibility of incarceration you do not get a public defender. In all states you must still qualify for one financially.

That still means you have to turn yourself in and be arrested and booked and wait for a first hearing before you can ask for one. In some states that can be a few days.

Is the bond you stated for the ticket or the failure to appear?

Its for FTA. Can i go to the DMV website and buy a certified driving record? I have an old one and it states that my license had 0 points and that it was valid but its not a certified copy.

 

[justalayman]

No idea about the DMV. Call them is the best I can say. You will want the best proof you can bring.


As to the bond being for the FTA. Bring money with you to pay the bond. Bringing somebody with you to hold it in case they arrest you and put your property in an inaccessible lock up might be a good idea as well. Some jails I have heard of will not allow you to use money in the prisoners lock up to bail out with.

 

[Wreck7]

No idea about the DMV. Call them is the best I can say. You will want the best proof you can bring.


As to the bond being for the FTA. Bring money with you to pay the bond. Bringing somebody with you to hold it in case they arrest you and put your property in an inaccessible lock up might be a good idea as well. Some jails I have heard of will not allow you to use money in the prisoners lock up to bail out with.

i just bought an uncertified copy of my driving record through the dmv website. It shows that my license was issued 2009 and that it is also still active till this day with zero points on my record and no convictions. My bond was 2k, so does that mean it's only 20 dollars to get out? it's 10% right? I am honestly sort of freaking out now. Thought this was much minor than all of this.

Also i just bought a certified copy, however this one comes through the mail, the uncertified copy can be downloaded and viewed through pdf. I bought both copies just in case.

 

[davew128]

If you think 10% of $2,000 is $20 then you have bigger issues.

 

[Wreck7]

If you think 10% of $2,000 is $20 then you have bigger issues.

lol my bad 200

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

So do you really live in NC or FL? Many illegals try moving to other states and driving on the license issued by an illegal friendly state. If you have met the criteria to be a FL resident your license is no good. Otherwise, get a replacement license and show it to the court with proof you live and work in NC.