The mob mentality is to do your civic duty. I dont care how busy you were or are or what your excuses are that you cant deal with the court system. If you have kids and are a primary caregiver you are exempt for up to 14 years. How difficult is it to spend a few hours and go down there to tell them that and presto, youre off the hook for a few years. To avoid it and risk your credit and arrest if you really piss them off because you think youre a smartass. To quote Jack Nicholson, "I would rather you said thank you" for saving you from untold heartache.
But instead we have mr kalishnikov and the OP who are shining examples of how not to be grateful for trying to steer a wayward misguided individual.