What happens when you need to attend court?
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Context
Got letter from LTA and I need to pay 1.2k in fines in less than a month. I’m not doing well financially now and I highly doubt I can pay it on time. The letter did mention I would have to attend court if I miss the deadline.
I’ve never experience that and don’t personally know anyone who has. What exactly happens when you need to attend court because of not paying fines ? More fines ? I’ve already tried to contact LTA to try to ask for extension but no response yet though I highly doubt they’d do that easily.
Here are what netizens think
- Your financial situation does not absolve you from being held responsible for the offences you’ve committed. If you have been given a court date, for goodness sake attend it no matter what.
If you don’t get to speak with LTA prior to the court date, at least you could directly plead with the judge for leniency or more time to pay. Bring some evidence of your inability to pay.
Try your best in the meantime to make a deal with LTA. They will most likely not waive your fine, but they may reduce it or offer an instalment plan.
I believe you will still need to attend court even if an out-of-court settlement has been reached, but LTA’s lawyers will just inform the judge that they are withdrawing the case against you.
Yours will just be one of many cases being heard at such traffic courts. It’s almost like a “factory production floor”, one after another. But if it’s your first time in court and having to stand in the dock, it can be pretty intimidating. - Try to beg and borrow so you can pay the 1.2k. This is when you redeem all the favors that people have owed you.
- I was just in court!! I witnessed many ppl like this. You can explain to the judge + staff there that you are pleading guilty and would like to pay the fine.
However, you would like to request for installment and/or delay of payment and tell the judge your reasons.
The judge will have the power to deduce and override LTA’s timeline. Good luck!