I'm unable to go to court tomorrow for my speeding ticket and don't have the money to pay, will I get a penalty for not showing?

If you don't show up you will likely be found guilty in your absence and have a fine imposed. Failure to pay the fine and court costs will result in a license suspension.

Go to court or hire an attorney to go for you. It's probably the case that you can get an attorney for not much more than the court cost and fine that you already face for your ticket and that attorney will probably get a better result. Do not just miss court. Having a driver's license is a privilege, not a right. You could lose it.

In New York where I practice, you must appear or you must get an adjournment or you can also retain a lawyer who will appear on your behalf. In some jurisdictions, such as where I practice, a lawyer can appear for a client on a traffic ticket and the client need not appear. I would suggest that you appear and if found guilty, ask for time to pay. But before you to that, do a search on for an attorney that specializes in Speeding and Traffic tickets in your area and speak to them and see what they say. Good luck.

As Mr. Wilson observes, if you don't appear you will be found guilty. Assuming that happens you need to pay the fine and costs within the period provided or your license will be suspended. And "payment" means the clerk receives the money within the period provided, not when you mail it. There is no "mailbox rule" when it comes to fines and costs.

Did the ticket require that you appear or was it prepayable?

What no body has told you is that you have 10 days to appeal to the circuit court - where you get a brand new trial, or chance to resolve it with traffic school, etc. Good luck!

As another Attorney pointed out you will have 10 days to note an appeal if your are convicted in absentia. You may hire an attorney to appeal for you of fill out the proper form. If you do it yourself you may still hire an attorney to go to court with you on the appeal date or on your behalf without your being present. You should consult with an attorney who is familiar with the local practices in that court.