My question involves a driver's license issued by the State of: California
I received a citation June 30, 2009 for an illegal left turn out of a gas station (21461A).
Three weeks later after checking the mail constantly for mailed citation I when online to see if it was on record. There was no information on my citation. I presumed that the paperwork was never filed.
From that day forward I never received a single letter in the mail from the courts.
Today I went to get an insurance quote and my license was said to be suspended. I went to the the courts website and found that my license had been suspend since November 3, 2009. I was terrified to find out that I had been driving on a suspended license so long.
I was originally going to contest my citation for the illegal left turn, because the angle in which I exited the gas station the sign was barely visible. I was planning to take photos of the exit of the gas station. This would prove that the angle of the exit make it difficult for a driver to visible notice what the sign shows.
I now have a suspended licenses for not appearing to my court date, and I checked on there website and have a fine of $512.
I am a college student and have a clean record other than this suspension. I can't afford to go without a car.
What should I do? I don't want to pay the fine if that means agreeing to guilt. I know I'm innocent, and can't afford to pay something I should have to.
If I go to the courts tomorrow and speak with a judge should I explain my situation, or what other advice would someone recommend?

