Traffic Citations question

[Jumping Frog]

I've got a 20 year old son who has gotten into some traffic law trouble. Had some questions for people after realizing I couldn't figure this out with google.

Background, last November he got popped for speeding and got "Driver Safety Course Compliance", where he needed to submit proof of taking a driver safety course.

About a month ago, he got into a car accident where he received 2 citations: 1 for failure to have his driver license with him (he had a valid license, but not on his person). The other for failure to control (which I believe is 3 points since it resulted in an accident).

Then he got mixed up on his court date and missed it (It was 5/27 and he thought it was 6/27). Apparently, there is now a warrant issued.

So here are my questions:
1. If he pays both citations, do they both have points?
2. If he pays both citations, does that affect the previous Nov speeding ticket with the driver safety course?
3. Is he going to get a Texas surcharge for the failure to have the license on his person?
4. How many points will he have?

Hopefully, this will be his wake-up call.

[mojo84]

I don't think it will affect his first ticket since it was not deferred adjudication. I also don't think he will get points for the license infraction since he has one but it wasn't with him and I don't believe that is considered a moving violation. Crap, I don't know why I am respinding. I'm only telling you what I "think" and don't know for sure. Maybe eellis, Charles or one of our resident cops can help.

Sorry.

[SewTexas]

the previous one with the safety course is over and done, EXCEPT that the class is not an option this time. you can only take it so often.

other than that, I'm afraid I can't help you.

[gigag04]

Not legal advice but this is what I would tell my kid:

Fail to display is a stupid ticket that will/should get dropped when he shows the court he was issued a license at the time of the offense.

Not sure on points for fail to control speed. I would contact the court immediately and make arrangements to come in. Bring money to cover the fines in case they do process it in as an arrest and serve the warrant. If this happens pay the money as a bond but request a court date. They will likely give an option to plead no contest and surrender the bond money as payment. I'd opt for a day in court and get the fail to display dropped. Might bring an attorney to get it really cleaned up nicely and Charles knows a good one, but deferred adjudication on fail to control speed and a butt chewing for missing court seems like a reasonable deal.

[Unicorn Rancher]

Your son should definitely post bond to take care of the warrant before it bites him in the butt.

After that, David Sprecher used to be the go to guy for Houston traffic court. Not sure if that's still true after the relocation.

Good luck with your son.