No car insurance ticket, followed by odd texts for change of case number on ticket.

twilleger

I was very irresponsible and did not have insurance on my car. I've been trying to save money for tuition, I figured I could get by for a month and just keep my trips to essencials. Dumb, I know. I feel terrible and know how lucky I am to only have a ticket as oppossed to getting into an accident. I slid into a gravel ditch and unfortunatly needed to get pulled out. My car is perfectly fine, it was just really sandy. The police noticed I was stuck and called the tow for me. Then asked for my insurance. I knew it had lapsed but I was so scared that I said I had it just no proof. Again, Dumb, I know. I've heard of people being arrested for no insurance, so I was really freaked out. The lady cop was super nice, she even told me that if I didn't have any that I should, "get some quick." I didn't understand what she ment. I was trying to get a hold of my insurance company and get covered immediatly but of course it was sunday. After I got my ticket I realized what she ment. I could have called a company like The General and been covered immediatly, then there would have been no ticket. So, in a matter of 8 hours I had successfully managed to do multiple stupid things.

On monday I recieved a text. "This is to let you know the case number on your citation should read 2016-7578. No other changes."
I responded, "I'm not sure what this means?"
Reply, "It refers to the complaint and summons you were issued for not having insurance. The case number in the top right corner should read 2026-7578."
My ticket reads... 16-7579. Which is different from both numbers given to me. None of them match.
I was wondering what my next step is. Lawyer, call the DA, wait for court, call the number that has sent me texts? I don't want to incriminate myself more or give them the chance to rectify the mistake. Esspecially if the mistake make my ticket admissable. I'm in Colorado btw.

Thanks so much in advance for advice.

Enc

Seek legal representation to answer these questions, not internet strangers.

Don't drive without insurance. It's irresponsible and illegal for a reason.

Banzai5150

Case numbers are usually year-next available number. I'm assuming the citation is filled slightly different so by habit she put the 16 the other number is off by 1 which is another typo. As someone that looks at court docs for a job, in Colorado, these kind of mistakes are too common. You can just call the pd and double check if you're spooked by the text.

Inquisitor77

Don't freak out. This is, unfortunately a very common thing. It is a serious issue, but you are not going to go to jail for 20 years over it. Just take it as a lesson learned - treat it seriously, get a lawyer, and talk with them about it.

Also, if you don't have insurance now and you still intend on driving, you should be getting it ASAP.

knitdan

You probably don't need really need a lawyer for this.

Get insurance before you do anything else.

Show up to your court date (bring proof of insurance!) and tell the truth.

You're going to be on the hook for a mandatory fine, and they'll suspend your license until you can prove you have insurance.