4-5 years later... - Court Forum

russm · #1 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009

So when I was 18-19 I was very irresponsible. I accumulated 5 tickets in the course of 6 months. (1x) Speeding, (2x) Expired tags, (2x)no insurance. At the time there was no way I could pay them. So my license has been suspended ever since. Shortly after the tickets, collections were haggling me and with all the late fees, the balance was up to $3,000. Which is pretty insane if you ask me. The original costs for all the tickets were probably $1,000.

Anyway, living paycheck to paycheck, carpooling to work - 5 years later I get laid off and decide to go back to school. I could really really use my license again so I was wondering if I had any other options other then the obvious. - I don't have $3,000.

I heard someone could go to a traffic judge and explain why it has not been paid, etc. And that they might throw out all late-fee penalties if I was able to pay off the original cost that day/week (If they saw that I was a clean-cut, now-responsible citizen). Is this possible? Also, I heard they will give you limited license (to go to school/work) if you keep up on payments. Are these all rumors? Or do I have to continue to save for the next 2 years or so till I can cough up the entire $3,000?

Thanks for reading and for any response.

-Edit-
I just want to add that I'm in Fresno, California (I know different states might have different laws).

LegalGuy · #2 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

No, you'll need to pay all fines prior to even getting your licence back; not including the costs to get your suspension lifted and probably costs of traffic school.

russm · #3 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

So there's no point in going to traffic court... I should just contact the collections company and make payments with them?

LegalGuy · #4 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

Yes, and they will most likely settlement for much less than what they are asking; ask them for a settlement offer.

russm · #5 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

I called the DMV to verify how many tickets I had.. and to also find out what collections company I should get ahold of. The lady said since the tickets were in 2003, if I visited a DMV office they will be able to 'purge' the tickets. Since their not DUI related.

I'll see what happens next I guess...

I called back to get a second opinion. They also said, all I had to do was visit the DMV and they will purge the tickets and that all I have to pay is 83$ to renew the license. It's hard to believe but this would be amazing. I'll update again if anyone is interested in a few hours to see if they actually did this.

russm · #6 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

So iv'e had the best day...

I went to the DMV and sure enough.. after the teller was consulting her superviser she said all the tickets are now purged since the 5 tickets in question were only "1 pointers." She said I don't even have to pay for the tickets in my original post.

I paid around $85 for the renewal and had to take a 16 question test. But I have my license now. Even the teller was surprised and joked "Wow, someone is finally going to leave the dmv happy!"

Lucky me.

LegalGuy · #7 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

Hey, sounds like a nice deal... wish they could happen in Illinois! Best of luck!

bluesnut · #8 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009

You're lucky. In OK if you don't pay a ticket a warrant goes out for your arrest.

A cop stopped me one night and cited me for no proper eye protection while on a motorcycle. Being in a foul mood I told the cop to write the entire book up if he wanted because I wasn't going to pay it.

A month later while working in my garage I looked up and 2 cops had a warrant and a set of cuffs waiting for me. I paid the ticket plus the new ticket for failure to appear.

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