Suspended license question

[Idiot2016]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan
I was In a fender bender. I didn't want to call the cops and have my insurance go up. The guy offered to take $200. He took me to the atm and I gave him his money.
2 hours later the cops show up, he had reported the accident.
I was charged with failing to stop in a clear distance and driving with a suspended license..I was making payments on some unpaid tickets and thought if I paid on time they would be fine.. I gues not.
I now have to go to court. What should I do? Could I actually go to jail?

 

[FlyingRon]

You could get 93 days in jail. If they won't take that off the table before trial, then you'll need a lawyer. If you are indigent and can not afford one, as for a public defender.

Actually, you should have been OK to drive if you were on a payment plan once the notification is sent you clearing (and assuming you're current on the agreed upon payments). Is there more to the story?

 

[Idiot2016]

You could get 93 days in jail. If they won't take that off the table before trial, then you'll need a lawyer. If you are indigent and can not afford one, as for a public defender.

Actually, you should have been OK to drive if you were on a payment plan once the notification is sent you clearing (and assuming you're current on the agreed upon payments). Is there more to the story?

No. I was making payments on the tickets. My next one is due the 17th of this month.
Do I have an legal actions as he took money and waited two hours to call the cops?

 

[FlyingRon]

No. I was making payments on the tickets. My next one is due the 17th of this month.
Do I have an legal actions as he took money and waited two hours to call the cops?

You didn't answer. Did you get the letter from the SOS that cleared you to drive?

No you have no gripe about the guy calling the cops on you. The fact you paid him for you civil damanges doesn't have squat to do with you breaking the law.

 

[Idiot2016]

You didn't answer. Did you get the letter from the SOS that cleared you to drive?

No you have no gripe about the guy calling the cops on you. The fact you paid him for you civil damanges doesn't have squat to do with you breaking the law.

I got a letter saying if I didn't pay the tickets my license would be suspended. I called and made pay,met arrangements and was told that if I Made the payments on time that it would be fine.
I got one letter saying it was suspended a month ago, called them and was told it was an error and it would be reinstated.

 

[FlyingRon]

I got a letter saying if I didn't pay the tickets my license would be suspended. I called and made pay,met arrangements and was told that if I Made the payments on time that it would be fine.
I got one letter saying it was suspended a month ago, called them and was told it was an error and it would be reinstated.

The STATE SOS is clear. You are not OK to drive until you get the clearance letter from the state.

You can try to convince the judge you weren't suspended, but there's no OUT for "I drove while suspended even though I shouldn't have been suspended." It doesn't work that way.

Slamming into another car is prima facie evidence of failure to maintain a safe distance.