Ticket lawyer?

Portland OR

Description

I have a couple tickets from California when I first moved to the west coast from Florida. Tickets from sleeping in a vehicle or broken tail light. They started small and after I forgot about them they grew and grew and now California is telling me I owe them like 6k for a couple tickets. I know this was irresponsible on my part. I grew up in a cow town in south Florida with no opportunities. I left and came to California with a backpack and no money. Took me a awhile but I was able to get on my feet for awhile until the pandemic hit. Now I Am I able to fight tickets somehow after they’ve been sent to a collection agency? They have put a hold on my license to try and give me incentive to pay but I don’t have that kind of money. I have some money saved from working full time and living in my van. Trying to scrape together first last and security to get out of this damn van so my wife and dog and I can have some peace but now I’m wondering if I should just put the money I have saved towards my debts. But I know that decision will doom me to another few months on the streets at least. I’m trying so hard not to waste it on hotels for showers and short term comfort but the longer I wait the harder it gets. Or should I just spend the money on a lawyer to help me take care of the tickets? I am not very educated in traffic court or how it works at all. Any advice is appreciated.