Ask HN: Existing Civil Fee/Fine Payments Need Innovation

6 pointsbbissoon10y ago6 comments

Quick Question: How many readers have spent a night in jail, justly or unjustly?

Edit: I've read some comments and you're not reading the question fully.

What were your experiences paying the fines?

If there was any fees/fine involved, was it reasonable and what city?

Was it a simple process?

Were there outside fees associated with paying the fines?

Did you go to a website or pay at the court house?

Thanks.

6 comments

up_and_up10y ago

Yes, following a non-violent protest.

The police charged a group of us (with batons out etc), punched and tackled me and threw me in a paddy wagon. After a good cop/bad cop type interview I sat in jail all night.

I ended up only having like a $300 fine for a traffic violation or something since I was on my bike.

This happened in Santa Cruz, CA in 2001.

bbissoonOP10y ago

Did you pay this fee online or at an establishment?

Could you pay down this fee or was it all due at one time?

pavel_lishin10y ago

> How many readers have spent a night in jail, justly or unjustly?

Probably more than you expect.

> What were your experiences paying the fines, if there was any fees/fine involved, was it reasonable and what city?

This almost certainly varies quite a bit from place to place. Contact a lawyer; if you spend just one night behind bars, you can probably afford to at least talk to one about your situation.

bbissoonOP10y ago

This is a question for experiences paying the fine, not so much for advice.

I've added to the question to make it clear.

pavel_lishin10y ago

Ooh, that's much clearer; I thought you were asking for advice on what to do :)

I don't remember the particulars of my run-ins with the law, but I wish you luck!

duncan_bayne10y ago

Nope, sorry. If there's any consolation to be had, you're in fine company:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/...

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

Ask HN: Existing Civil Fee/Fine Payments Need Innovation

6 pointsbbissoon10y ago6 comments

Quick Question: How many readers have spent a night in jail, justly or unjustly?

Edit: I've read some comments and you're not reading the question fully.

What were your experiences paying the fines?

If there was any fees/fine involved, was it reasonable and what city?

Was it a simple process?

Were there outside fees associated with paying the fines?

Did you go to a website or pay at the court house?

Thanks.

6 comments

up_and_up10y ago

Yes, following a non-violent protest.

The police charged a group of us (with batons out etc), punched and tackled me and threw me in a paddy wagon. After a good cop/bad cop type interview I sat in jail all night.

I ended up only having like a $300 fine for a traffic violation or something since I was on my bike.

This happened in Santa Cruz, CA in 2001.

bbissoonOP10y ago

Did you pay this fee online or at an establishment?

Could you pay down this fee or was it all due at one time?

pavel_lishin10y ago

> How many readers have spent a night in jail, justly or unjustly?

Probably more than you expect.

> What were your experiences paying the fines, if there was any fees/fine involved, was it reasonable and what city?

This almost certainly varies quite a bit from place to place. Contact a lawyer; if you spend just one night behind bars, you can probably afford to at least talk to one about your situation.

bbissoonOP10y ago

This is a question for experiences paying the fine, not so much for advice.

I've added to the question to make it clear.

pavel_lishin10y ago

Ooh, that's much clearer; I thought you were asking for advice on what to do :)

I don't remember the particulars of my run-ins with the law, but I wish you luck!

duncan_bayne10y ago

Nope, sorry. If there's any consolation to be had, you're in fine company:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/...

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse