Traffic offenses are usually considered to be minor crimes, but they can get serious if you get a lot of them, or if you choose to ignore them. Unpaid traffic tickets can result in expensive fines, higher insurance rates, driver’s license suspension, misdemeanor or felony charges, or even arrest or jail time.
But what happens if a person passes away with outstanding traffic tickets? If a person dies with unpaid traffic tickets, it is likely that his or her estate will be responsible for paying for the tickets, in the same way it is responsible for other forms of debt. However, this presumes that the tickets were already adjudicated before the ticket holder’s death.
Generally, when a traffic ticket is issued, the recipient agrees to either show up at the appointed court date or pay the fine before that date, thereby pleading guilty. If the person with the ticket dies before the court date, then it is likely that the ticket will be dropped because due process cannot take place.
If the court date passed by the time the person died and the person failed to appear or plead guilty, the person’s estate is likely responsible for the outstanding fees.
Keep in mind that due process within traffic court is established at the state and local level, and some areas provide ticket holders with far less due process protection than others. It’s important to consult with the traffic court where a ticket was issued for details on process.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (206) 441-0900.