If I did jail time instead of probation do I still need to pay the fines?
Question Details:
I got a DUI was sentenced to 1 year probation over $1000 in fines DUI school community hours and a couple other things. I lived on my own making barely min wage an couldn't afford everything so I violated probation. When I turned myself I asked for jail time an got 30 days. I'm out now an was trying to get my license but they there telling me Ihave to pay the fines. Is that right? I thought doing my jail time was sentence?
The fines were likely converted to a civil judgement so that they would no longer be a part of your probation. Basically you just got sued for the fines and court costs and the state has a judgement against you. The state not only can charge interest but they can also place a suspension on your license until you pay the fines and cost. The unfortunate part is the state has the burden to prove you had the ability to pay and did not to prevail on a financial violation of probation. Some of the conditions are much less expensive (community service is free but often has a minimal insurance fee) and if you did not complete the non financial conditions the state would have been able to prevail. Jail was punishment for not complying not the sentence.
You still need to pay the fines because the fines were part of the sentence and were not an alternative to going to jail.
