Metro Fare Evasion Citation

Summary

Citations like metro fare evasion can take time to process. If traveling abroad, appoint a lawyer or request a continuance to avoid missing court dates. Legal fees for minor offenses range from $150 to $500. Ensure court requirements are met before leaving the USA to avoid complications. Contact local legal aid or use online directories for lawyer assistance.

Full Conversation

I went to the court physically and they said to call them back on December 15th to check if it's registered. My concern is I am greencard holder and travelling abroad From December 28th to January 30th, I will leave Maryland on December 20th. So what happens if it is registered within that time and the trial date is also within that period of time?
If your case is registered and a trial date is set while you're abroad, you may face complications, such as a missed court appearance. Here are some options:
- Consider appointing a lawyer to represent you in court.
- Request a continuance to reschedule the trial date.
- Contact the court for alternatives or advice.
Would you like help finding a local lawyer?
Although the officer who issued the citation said that the court may or may not need me to appear (they will tell me through the mail), the clerk at the court said that I need to appear at the court. I want to know how likely it is that the court doesn't want me to show up and just pay the fine? Since this is my first and only ever citation of any kind
Here are some general points regarding court appearances for citations:
- Generally, for minor offenses like fare evasion, the court might allow you to pay a fine without appearing, especially for first-time offenders.
- However, if the clerk has advised you to appear, it's important to follow their instructions unless informed otherwise officially.
- Check with the court again on December 15th to confirm the status of your case.
If you want to explore options like appointing a lawyer or need further assistance, let me know!
How much do you think lawyers would charge for this case?
Case Rating: *
For minor offenses such as fare evasion, legal fees can vary. Generally, a lawyer might charge anywhere from $* to $* for handling a straightforward case like this. It could be more if the case requires additional effort or time.
Also, if I get the notice before leaving USA and the trial date is for example February 15th, do I need to do anything? Or will there be any complications while getting back to USA?
Case Rating: *
For a trial date like February 15th, you'll need to ensure any court requirements are met before leaving the USA. If required to appear, missing the court date might lead to a warrant or complications upon re-entry. Consider appointing a lawyer or requesting a continuance to avoid issues.
can you find me local lawyers for this job? I stay at * Rowalt Drive, College Park, Maryland
Case Rating: *
For your situation with a criminal citation for metro fare evasion, it's not necessarily a high-value case, but legal representation can help avoid any complications due to your travel plans or misunderstanding court requirements. If you're interested in finding a lawyer, I recommend contacting local legal aid services or using online directories to find a lawyer who specializes in minor offenses and immigration-related matters.