Clearing Up a MIP Charge After Moving Out Of State

[Curtis]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California


My daughter's half-sister moves to Louisiana from California. She is a young adult. She had absolutely zero effective parenting and guidance while growing up. I am helping her to move toward a path of responsible adulthood and independence.

She was thrilled to pass her Louisiana driver's license exam today. Until they told her she cannot have her license due to a MIP charge in California for which she did not appear three years ago. Her mom should have taken her to court -- or at least told her it was important -- but, that would be like asking pigs to fly.

She does NOT have the money to go back to California for court. She is a single mom, barely making it and has two jobs to keep up with.

Can this be taken care of long distance?

Does she need a California attorney?

Any ideas/thoughts/advice on how to move forward will be very appreciated.

Thank you.

[Mr. Knowitall]

She is free to try to see if she can resolve the charge long-distance. I expect not, but she won't know until she tries. It would be easier with the help of a lawyer.

It's time for her to start taking responsibility for her own actions - it was not her mom who got arrested, and it's not as if she had just fallen off the back of a turnip truck and didn't know that she had to go to court.