Location: Minnesota
Hi - I (26F) was pulled over today on a very basic speed warning. I was very lucky that the cop that pulled me over was just giving me a warning, and was beyond kind. He asked me to provide my license so I could be on my way and I complied.
After running my ID, he came back to the side of my car and my partner was in the passenger seat. He said simply “I promise nothing bad happened, you are not being arrested, I just need to talk to you real quick.” Seriously, he was beyond kind and patient with me. What he told me took me by surprise.
He said I had a warrant out for my arrest. I actually asked him if he was joking. He mentioned a county had a warrant out for my arrest - the same one I had a car accident in in October 2024.
Short summary: I worked for a university as an admissions counselor, so I was constantly on the road in a university car with university insurance. I didn’t sit long enough at a stop sign and I went into an intersection and got tboned at 55mph in my passenger side. I complied with police and my university as well as the insurance on both sides. It was my first ever accident - I was pretty shaken up. It ultimately was deemed my fault by insurance and I was told by my university that I couldn’t drive their cars anymore. Fine, makes sense.
I thought that was the end of that until today. I received 0 communication or mail regarding that I had a ticket for a failure to yield at a stop sign, and now apparently I have a warrant for my arrest.
Here’s the other mind boggling thing: I have been hired at two school districts in between the time of the accident to today. Not once did they bring up seeing this on my record.
I called the county police office and they told me to call the judicial system tomorrow to explain my situation. I have a squeaky clean record besides this - and had I received any of the communication it wouldn’t have gotten to this point!!! I am 100% freaking out.
I just don’t want to make any wrong steps. Do I need to bring a lawyer? Do I just pay off my bond? Is there a script I should follow when discussing this with anybody?
ETA: I move to central Wisconsin on Thursday. So great timing 🫠 additionally, the accident happened about 2 hours from where I live/work. Completely different counties and cities.