A friend of The Ticket Clinic reached out to us to clear up this urban legend that has made its way around the internet. There are several versions of the tale floating around, but here is the one we received:
If you get a speeding ticket or went through a red light, or whatever the case may be, you’re going to get points on your license and an increase in your auto insurance. This is a method to insure that you do not get the points. When you get your fine, send in a check to pay for it. If the fine is $79.00, make the check out for $82.00, some small amount over the fine. The system will then have to send you back a check for the difference. However, here is the trick: DO NOT CASH THE REFUND CHECK! Throw it away! THAT’S RIGHT…THROW IT AWAY…Points are not assessed to your license until all financial transactions are complete. If you do not cash the check, then the transactions are NOT complete. The system has received its money and is satisfied and will no longer bother you.
THIS IS NOT TRUE. Read it again: This is not true. This is an urban legend, which can cost you money, earn you points on your license or worse – get your license suspended. If you get a traffic ticket your options are to pay it or to fight it – yourself or by hiring an experienced traffic ticket attorney. Gimmicks such as this one sound too good to be true because they are!
If you have received a traffic ticket and would like to speak with an attorney, consider calling us at 1.800.CITATION. The Ticket Clinic has defended over 1 million traffic-related tickets, including DUI, since 1987. We handle exclusively traffic-related tickets in Florida, California and nationwide.
