The financial realities of doing it alone

Well shortly after Mr. Ex left, the tags on my van expired. I was completely broke and couldn't afford to renew them. Ticket = $800.00 for driving on expired tags. Really!!!! Judge willing to reduce fine to $150.00 if i show proof that title was transferred, because i traded that vehicle for work done to a new car since the transmission was shot. However since i had already signed the title over, i was screwed.    A couple months later i was pulled over for having a headlight out. Found out that the court i was dealing w/ for the above listed fine had suspended my license. Sheriff told me that i was getting a break since i had my son w/ me. He said he was supposed to arrest me and impound my car for 30 days!  Ticket = $800.00 for driving on suspended license!!! So basically since i didn't have the $46.00 to renew the tags on my van, it will cost me $1600.00!!!! How is that fair?????   I have never been arrested or broken the law in my life. God forbid people go thru hard times and not even be able to pay rent and buy food. Why on earth would those fines be so extreme for a first time offence? Did i mention that those were my first ever traffic tickets and I'm almost 29?  Where is the justice in this system??? I feel so angry right now. I am in such a deep financial hole that i have no idea on how to even begin to pull myself out. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!