I have a 2001 Dodge Stratus and was pulled over by an Illinois State Officer for not having a front license plate. The Officer asked would I like to take care of the fine now or later - I wasn't too sure what he meant - but thought he was giving me a ticket & an envlope and that I would have to send in a check for the fine. I said I would mail it in. He said this would not go on my record, gave me a receipt and KEPT my Driver's License. Is that appropriate???? He said that when I send in my money I would get my drivers license back.
I really have never heard of such a process AND - if I was to take care of it then and there - was I going to be paying the Officer? Sounds a bit illegal to me.
Police Officers are bound by the laws and rules of law on what they can take for bond on specific offenses. Traffic offenses such as no front plate generally have posting one's Driver's License for bond as an option. For example, the courts allow a police officer writing a no front plate citation to take a Drivers License, $75cash, or a Bond Card (from a list of organizations such as AAA) for bond. If none of the above are available, the officer might also be able to get permission to issue an I-bond (signature promising to comply).
If you post cash bond, the officer will write that fact and the amount on the citation or bond receipt, and generally, have you sign it. This acts as your receipt to show that you posted the bond. That cash bond can then be used as the fine, or refunded to you by the Circuit Clerk if you were found not guilty.
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