Legal advice sought

Consider talking with Rick Philps, a Canadian lawyer who is a naturalized citizen of  Costa Rica and practices here.

I've heard things, but don't know the facts.
I would try contacting some English speaking (or Spanish speaking if you speak Spanish fluently) attorneys and ask them. You can probably find some online and call from there using skype or whatsapp or magicjack or ?

Please report back here with what you learn about this. Good luck!

Hi Rick,

In most cases and courts an attorney can appear on behalf of the client, including appear in court, or request a rescheduling of a hearing, and without the client having to be present.  However, for this a valid special judicial power of attorney must be validly granted.  Since you are not in Costa Rica, and because Canada is not a party to The Hague Apostille Treaty, you would need to grant the PoA before a Costa Rican consul (for example in Ottawa), or else hire a Canadian notary instead to legalize the PoA for you.

One more thing:  if you are involved in a traffic accident where someone got wounded (don't know if that is the case), then the case would be processed in a criminal court instead of a traffic one (because of the "lesiones").   

Let me know if you need further help, I am an attorney myself.

Cheers,

Carlos Angulo

OMG welcome to the madness..........we have just completed a lengthy court battle of almost 5 years over "nothing".  Cost us thousands of dollars, time and now we don't even want to return to CR.  The system is so mixed up.  I would definately do as the first post says and contact the Rick Phelps (we know him), used him and then he referred us to a different lawyer as our case (which was a property issue) was dealt with in criminal court??????  Anyways unfortunately I think you are in for a very long ride.  The legal system in CR is not the same as North America and sucks the life out of you (as well as money).  Pura Vida (my ass)!

I'd say, and pardon my language, screw the motorcycle guy. Do not come down and forget it happened. If it were the other way around, the motorcycle driver would never show up nor pay if you had been injured.   In these banana republics, people think that gringos /foreigners are so afraid of the law they pay all the time even if it isn't their fault. Do not worry. That's my humble advice.

Rick is my Costa Rica neighbor, when here, and that was his first and only post.  The hearing took place and he is golden!

Thank you everyone for the intel.

However, what would be the potential consequences of ignoring a fine or traffic ticket? For example, to what extent would the inefficiency of communication between departments in CR benefit someone who received a large fine (no injuries) and that expat does not pay? Current resident, but will be leaving soon. However, do plan to visit in the future.

Thank you

From what I've heard they might stop you from leaving at the airport. Someone else told me that isn't true so I'm not sure.
How large is the fine and for what was it given?
Have you asked your attorney?
You could try a test flight out of the country - maybe a quick trip to Panama or Nicaragua or ? and see if they let you out... ?

Leaving the country by any means, without paying this fine, could find you 'guilty of skipping out of the country' with added charges. So are you willing to risk it?

If there were no injuries, I can't see that the case would even go to court.  Especially since the damages to the motorcycle were minimal....good think you took photos.  This does not mean, though, that the guy can't claim injuries after the fact which is what happened in my case.