I received notice that I owe a fine, even though I have not been to court. What can I do?

Under Illinois law, a fine can be assessed in a person's absence, by what is known as an Ex Parte Judgment. An Ex Parte Judgment is a fine assessed by law to an offender who failed to appear in court on their assigned court date. You have a couple options if you have been fined in your absence. First, you may simply pay the fine within the time given in the notice you receive from the Circuit Clerk. If you seek to contest the ticket at this late stage, you must file with the Circuit Clerks Office a Motion to Vacate Conviction. Depending on how long it has been since the judgment was entered, there are different procedures and a nonrefundable filing fee which must be paid to have the case reconsidered. Upon filing the motion and paying the filing fee, you will be given a new court date. At your next court appearance, you will have to explain to the Traffic Court Judge why you failed to appear in court on your court date. If the judge accepts your reason, the fine may be vacated (or withdrawn) and you will be given another court date for a trial on your ticket.

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1. Do I need to hire an attorney to represent me on my traffic charge?
2. How can I get my bond back?
3. I cannot make my upcoming court date. Can I change it?
4. I cannot pay my fine. How can I get an extension?
5. I missed my court date. What will happen now?
6. I received an operating uninsured motor vehicle ticket and I had insurance. What should I do?
7. I received notice that I owe a fine, even though I have not been to court. What can I do?
8. I was in an accident with another vehicle which was uninsured. Will I be able to get money from Traffic Court?
9. Is there any way I can keep a traffic ticket off my record?
10. My ticket says $75 and it also says I must come to court. Is my fine $75?
11. What is the difference between a bench trial and a jury trial?
12. What is the difference between a ticket marked must appear and a ticket marked may appear?
13. What should I do If I want to contest my traffic ticket?