Legal Question in Criminal Law in Illinois

I received an administrative notice of ordinance violation ticket for drinking alcohol on a CTA train. It was nothing out of the ordinary. A couple buddies and I were drinking beers on our way to the White Sox game and 3 undercover cops got on our train and flashed their badges and asked us to get off at the next stop. They were actually really cool. They were telling us that the ticket is the same as a parking ticket and that we should just rip it up. They were saying it is a 35 dollar ticket. They really made it out to be no big deal and even let us finish our beers in front of them. After checking the chart on the back of the ticket with the violation code, 10-8-526/98-126 #1.4, it is actually 150 dollars. I am trying to find a job in the financial services industry and already have a DUI on my record. I really do want to fight this because the cops lied to us. Would this ticket ever show up on a background check if I paid it or fought it? If I fought it, do I need a lawyer present? If I dont need a lawyer present then would I get off if the police showed up? If the police didnt show up to court what would I need to do? I just dont have the money for a lawyer and I dont want to pay 150 dollars to the city given I was lied to and told that I should rip up the ticket because it takes about 5 before it gets serious. That is really what the cops said.

Asked on 4/13/11, 6:16 pm

Sal Sheikh www.BetterCallSal.com

0 users found helpful

0 attorneys agreed

I suggest you retain an attorney for this.

Feel free to contact me. I am at 400 W. Superior often.

Answered on 4/14/11, 2:00 pm

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