Yes, I have a question that I hope I can get a honest answer on.  My brother who is going with us on a cruise just surprise me this morning with this question.  He think he has an unpaid speding ticket from another state.  He says he found it last night when he was going through his papers that his wife left when they separated and she won't tell him if it is paid.  He found a letter that stated there was a bond that was set and a warrant issued - back in 2003.  We were not getting our passports because it's our first cruise, so I didn't know if he would have a problem boarding.  He is suppose to call and find out what to do, but you now I am worried because we paid for his trip and I don't want a problem on the day we board.  He is scared when he calls they will arrest him, so he is scared to call...because he doesn't know what the bond means. 

Will he have a problem if he doesn't get this taken care of?  We don't leave till January but I hope that's enough time. 

 If anyone can help with answers that will be great.  I guess I am fixing to get on the phone and see what I can find out.  Sometimes "siblings are alot of work"!

A lot will depend on what state.... and if that state will extridite for something like this... if that is the case... he might get to go on the cruise... but when he gets back... he could find people there waiting to take him back... so it really is better for him to call and find out what he should do.

Thanks, I think it is in Arkansas and we don't live there anymore.  I am trying to find info online right now.  But your reply helps.

Thanks a million.

I'm pretty sure boarding will be no issue. You don't go through customs during embarkation, only after you return to the states. I'm not sure but if one has a felony warrant, then they might have a problem. Customs will run your drivers license against your citizenship docs. If he was issued a passport recently it might not be a problem at all. You will not be issued a passport if your on their "list".

Sorry, I don't have the sure answer. Making a few well placed calls can only help. My advice, just pay the ticket and they should drop the warrant if one exists. This situation can be tricky since the warrant is in another state.

Hope this helps.

CD

your best bet is to call them up. tell them that i have just found some paperwork about a ticket back in 03 that i don't remember about and it says i didnt pay and my ex wife won't tell me yes or no. He's on the phone, they can't find him that way, no reason to be scared. and what they will do is tell him ex: yes you have an outstanding ticket, and they amount due plus their reinstate fee etc. its going to be hefty but he should get it taken care of. the bond for warrant is yes, if they were to say pull him over for something and they did a search and found he had a warrent, then they would arrest him, give him a court date to take care of the matter.

so basically, tell him to CALL and find out what his options are. they don't want to waste court time but they do want their money!  so i'm being positive thats what they will do.. get him to do it.. hell, you call and ask. well, that might not work because generally they dont talk to anyone except the person on that paper.

Like VA said it will vary by state to state.  My brother had an outstanding warrant out for a ticket and I tried to pay it for him so they would drop the warrant and NJ said no, once there is a warrant he must be processed through the court...he would have to be arrested and then released and go to court to show the ticket was paid.  So, he can't get a passport either as this warrant will come up.

I can see this being an issue but they do not scan your drivers license or passport at the cruise terminal, they glance over it to make sure it matches the declarations paperwork you fill out. 

Just keep making calls to see what he can do. 

That's what I figured...when he comes back he may have a problem.  I know he said he checked with his insurance company and they didn't have any points against him for a suspended or misd. warrant and he said he has got pulled over often...he works nights and they always want to know what he is doing out at 3am.  He said they have ran his license in our current state (we live about 5 hours from where he got this ticket in AR).  He sais he even got a ticket here and paid it no problem and he was never questioned over a warrant.  I don't know....I'm am going crazy with his problem.  But thanks for the advise.

Sounds like you should let this go and let the person who is in this mess deal with it. I mean no offense, but don't let this ruin your upcoming cruise. We all have to be accountable. Hope things will work out. Best of luck.

CD

Like others have mentioned, going thru Customs comes after your cruise.  If your bother uses his Driver's Licence, it might pop up then.  Hay, at least he had a nice cruise before going to jail.

I would look into getting an attorney located in Arkansas.  My thought is that since this is from 2003, and you aren't going on your cruise until 2010, the Statue of Limitations might have run out by then.  That's the question an attorney from Arkansas can best answer.

I work in a state court, and we run into this all the time. I would advise the following: Have him call the clerk of court where his ticket is located. Explain the problem. It could be cleared up by just sending in some money for a fine, or they may require him to appear, but they should tell him. He should ask for a new court date so he can appear and take care of it if they require him to appear. He should ask if there is a warrant out for him and how much, if any, bail is set on the warrant. Also, his right to drive in Ark is probably suspended because he failed to show for a driving violation. He should check the Ark DMV on that issue. He will probably have to pay a reinstatement fee to DMV to get his right to drive back in Ark. But I suggest that he get this cleared up. It will not go away. Good luck. 

You should be able to pay to get an on-line DMV report from that state, and see what pops up.

 As Walt suggested, call the clerk of Court; you may also be able to go online and check the court Records.

Apply for a Passport and see what pops-up, and if nothing, use the Passport for the cruise.

There's no immigration check boarding and I've yet to see a customs Officer run anyone returning from a cruise. 

ken

most states have an amnesty program for unpaid tickets. you just need to ask directly for that program to see if they have it. Most courts want to get old tickets off the books and are willing to drop all extra charges and have you just pay the original fine. I have three friends that have done that and it worked.

hope it helps.

Open and honest is my recommendation there were circumstances that mucked it up

 

also POLITENESS no matter how the chips fall will always help

We noticed again when we waiting to board the Ecstasy on 08/31/09 a guestbeing led through the waiting area in hand cuffs. Also, when we arrivedback to Galveston on 09/05 over the PA they called for a guest by name to come to the Information Desk several times. Embarkation had not started and in fact, it seemed we were late staring the embarkation.The last announcement was for the guest by name again and the messagewas "Unless (guest name) comes to the Information Desk the embarkation will not start." In 15 minutes the embarkation started. I saw two females being led off in hand cuffs by Security and what appeared to be Federal officers.
I spoke to officials in the customs area as we were waiting in line and they said the two guest had outstanding warrants and the we arrested for the warrants. Also was told, CCL will let you on but people with warrants for their arrest will be not get back into the US. CCL must submit their passenger list to a data base for people with outstanding warrants. Just my guess. But for sure I did see the ladies when we were going and returning hand cuffed. What I have learned since our last crusie is that IF the state, county or city that has the warrant out for this person and they are  willing to payfor the extadition, officals will detain the guest.  Some guest have been hand cuffed and taken and make the call to the office that issued the warrant and agreed to pay the fine over the phone by credit card.  What a way to end a beautiful cruise. Bottom line. . .DON'T cruise if you have any unsettled tickets, warrants, child support payments or what ever.  Cruise ships are now required to HAND CUFF YOU and turn you over to arresting officers.  FYI. . .I have noticed on the cruises that have had this event. . .99.9% have been females.  Just reporting what I saw. Just think of the hang ups the ones traveling with the ones hand cuffed have encountered.

To everyone who answered:  It's taken care of.  Payment is made and no problems to worry with.  Now how do you delete this post???

 

Michelle