Can't Get a Duplicate Driver's License Due to Old, Out-of-State Ticket

[tjinazusa]

My question involves a driver's license issued by the State of: Arizona

In 1997 I received a ticket for speeding in a work zone while driving through North Carolina. The ticket did not get paid and I was informed via mail that my driving privilages in NC had been suspended. This didn't bother at the time me as I lived in AZ and figured I'd never return to NC. In 2000 I moved to SD and got a SD driver's licence with no problem.

In 2004 I returned to AZ and got an AZ driver's licence which expires in 2022 with no problem.

Yesterday I lost my billfold and when I went to the AZ DMV today, they would not issue a duplicate licence because of the unpaid ticket in NC.

Are my only options to call the court and pay what ever fine, penalties and interest have added up in 13 years or are there some other possibilities?

I called the court number the NC DMV worker sent me via email and it is not a working number so I have to wait until after the holiday now and then try to track down the right court.

Should I seek legal councel first before admiting anything or just take my lumps. If I can't pay the fine does that mean I can no longer drive until it's paid?

Any help would be appreciated.