My parents are expats, so they’re not home either. My brother’s home, and I love him to death but he’s not exactly cooperative.

Are there any ramifications to missing the letter? (I hail from Washington State, if that matters.)

I know it’s fair to opt out because of travel, but is it punishable if you don’t even send back the letter?

  • Vortex_Analyst@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    I would recommend having your mail sent to a PO box and then have someone you trust. – I am lucky my old man lives in my basement – I promise its a finished basement!! dude lives like a king – and this happened to me last year I had a summons. So I emailed the court and told them I was out of country. They asked for a copy of my passport with a stamp showing whatever country I was in at the time. This way they could verify. Once done they “pushed” my date back 1 year. – 1 year came few months ago same thing. Showed them and another extension till next year. I dont mind going honestly just not good time.

  • thekwoka@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    They may issue a warrant for your arrest. But it isn’t fundamentally illegal, considering the very real possibility the request never finds you.

    So if it does happen, it would be a significant inconvenience, but not a crime.

    But if you don’t intend to go back for a while, why are you still pretending to be a resident? Just cut the cord.

    • danirobot@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      … still pretending to be a resident? Just cut the cord.

      ​ Huh. Honestly never considered that. Is this something you’ve done, and how is it working out for you. Genuinely curious, thanks!

      • thekwoka@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        11 months ago

        I have, and great at least so far.

        I got a new drivers license right before I did it, so I don’t have that concern for a…few more years…

        That would be the main issue. Since Drivers licenses are state based not federal, and they may want to use you getting a new driver’s license as a reason you are ACTUALLY a resident.

        But I have converted it to a UAE license. And luckily that expires for the first time before my California one does, so I can see if I am able to renew the UAE one without actually presenting my California one.

        …

  • jwrig@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    Hah. I can speak from personal experience. Depending on your state, you get a bench warrant issued. Time will go by and maybe you’re looking for a job and need to clear a background check, maybe you get pulled over, or better yet, maybe you were interviewing for global entry and get arrested at the in person interview…

    Then you go before the judge explain the situation, some times you get an extension, sometimes you get taken out of the jury selection system.

    It really depends on the state.