<p>Today a police gave me a ticket for using the school's metrocard to take the train on a non-school day. The train ride is only $2, but the ticket is $60. They told me I must pay within 30 days or go to a 'hearing' on May 12 at 10:30 AM. I have no idea what the latter means. I am planning to pay this ticket probably on Monday. If I do, will this get erased from records?...In other words, will there be no existance of this happening after I pay?</p>
<p>Not a Law student</p>
<p>the summons is a violation. if youre ever asked whether or not you've been convicted of a crime, you can say no, because a crime is defined as a misdemeanor or felony in NYS. </p>
<p>Will it be on your record? I think so. For How Long? Not sure</p>
<p>As for the latter part, a hearing is basically you and an adjudicator (a judge, but not really a judge) and you're going to have to explain your side of the story, and why you shouldn't feel like you should pay. Basically, prove your innocent (whihc by your admission above, sounds like your guilty). </p>
<p>Do some more research online about it.</p>
<p>Generally, I think the hearing would be kind of like going to traffic court instead of paying the ticket. You can pay, admit guilt, or go to the hearing. Often, if you go to a hearing, you'll have to pay court costs if you lose. (I can tell you, from experience, that court costs are about $50 in my state for traffic violations....)</p>
<p>Nothing really ever "goes away" for the purposes of reporting it on the bar fitness application.</p>
<p>Not in NYC AA. NYC is weird when compared to the rest of the world.there is no such thing as paying court costs in NYC for traffic court. Instead they tack on a $50 surcharge to all tickets, whether or not you go to court. But thats for traffic ct. For this, IM pretty sure youre not going to have to pay anythign extra</p>
<p>Btw, for the OP, I found this link for you</p>
<p>How do traffic violations look on the bar application? How much of a negative effect can it have?</p>
<p>Good question Devo - I would like to know the same</p>
<p>And by traffic violations I dont mean DWI's, driving with suspended licenses. Im talking about running a red light, stop sign, speeding etc.</p>
<p>I think you just have to list them. From what I understand, the biggest problem is not listing the violations - or if you did something like not pay your ticket, or you have an outstanding violation. </p>
<p>I don't think that MA imposes court costs if you fight a ticket. My state does. The best part is that the cops will just pick a day that's about two months in the future and have every single one of their ticketees in court on that day - so they just sit there and fight each one and the judge will go through the people in alphabetical order. (Sadly, it's all young women who are in court fighting the tickets - it's like, can't you pull over some old geezer?)</p>
<p>What is a "bar application"?</p>
<p>Oh, sorry, bad terminology.</p>
<p>In order to be a member of a state's bar, you have to do a few things:
*Pass the multi-state bar exam
*Pass the state-specific exam
*Pass an ethics exam
*Pass a character & fitness test</p>
<p>For the last part, you have to fill out a huge form. Sometimes, you do this before sitting for the bar (actually taking the bar exam); in some states, you go through the process afterwards. This will ask you about everything in your life - all the bad stuff. Were you ever fired? Late in paying bills? Gotten arrested? Questioned about criminal activity? Gotten a speeding violation? Parking tickets (for some states)?</p>
<p>lil_killer, I know many people who have been in your situation. That little green metrocard is so tempting but saving two dollars can cost you a lot (apparently the fine went down, I think it used to be more like $65-$75). I managed to resist the temptation for six years but some of my friends got caught, theres nothing you could do but pay.</p>
<p>If you're the person the ticket was issued to and yo uhave the money to pay, I don't see why not.</p>