The first time you get a parking ticket, you might think, “It’s no big deal—I’ll pay it later.” Maybe if that’s the only parking ticket you get, you’ll get away with putting it off for a while—you’ve heard of other people who have, and they turned out fine, right? The police surely have better things to do than to put you in jail.
Unfortunately, those consequences listed on the back of the ticket and summons actually are enforced, although perhaps not as consistently as in more serious offenses. If you put it off for too long, you’re risking arrest and jail time—which means you’ll need bail bonds in Angleton, TX.
Here are some of the key things to keep in mind regarding unpaid parking tickets and how they can impact you:
- You can’t just pay your parking tickets when you’re arrested: You might have heard (or assume) that once you’re arrested for unpaid parking tickets, you can pay the fine at the station and everything will be okay. That’s simply not true. When you’re arrested for anything, including unpaid parking tickets, you won’t be able to do anything until you’re released on a bail bond, and you may only be released once you appear in front of a judge. Imagine getting arrested on Friday night and not being arraigned until Monday morning—that’s not a fun way to spend your weekend. Don’t risk missing work, time with your family and far more fun activities.
- If you have a warrant, any infraction puts you at risk of arrest: Once there’s a warrant out for your arrest for the unpaid parking tickets, anything you do that garners police attention means that you are at risk of being arrested anywhere in Texas. When you’re stopped, whether it’s during a traffic stop or another interaction with the police, chances are they’ll run your name. When they see there’s a warrant for your arrest, they’ll have no choice but to take you into the station.
- Don’t ignore a lost ticket and hope that it will go away: Mistakes happen, and sometimes paperwork gets lost. Avoiding your parking tickets isn’t the solution to this problem, however. Call your local parking enforcement authority to find out the ticket amount and how or where to pay. They’ll be able to give you the correct information, and you can avoid costly, embarrassing jail time.
Some people don’t pay their parking tickets because they simply cannot afford them, or at least not if they want to feed their families and pay rent. If that’s the case, don’t ignore your tickets in this situation, either—most government agencies will work with you to create a payment plan or another way to ease the burden. Making a proactive attempt will generate goodwill, and help you avoid costly legal troubles on top of the ticket.
If you need a bail bond in Angleton, TX, call Brazoria County Bail Bonds. We can help ensure you’re released and able to get back to your regular life.