What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TN, GA and VA.
I am a resident of TN. Moved here last year, before that I lived in Virginia. Last Wednesday, while driving through GA, I was stopped for speeding and then arrested for driving on a suspended license. Totally shocked and surprised by this as I haven't had any previous tickets or warrants. In jail I was even told by one of the prison employees processing my intake that the judge would probably throw my whole case out due to the officer who arrested me filling out poor paperwork and lack of notary on things were notary was required. Yet, I spent 16 hours in jail, unable to make a phone call to my wife in TN because it was 'long distance', was forced to post bond, it was a nightmare.
After researching this, my driving privilege in Virginia was suspended due to unpaid personal property taxes. Looking back on my personal records, the taxes were paid. I called to verify payment of my taxes with the county I lived in and got to the bottom of the problem. Apparently, when we moved, their computer wasn't updated properly and it showed that we still owed taxes beyond our move date. The county helped to correct the issue in their system and apologized for the inconvenience. So, they are sending me the documentation to show that I should not have had my license suspended and will allow me to clear my driving records with the DMV.
Now, I have two big questions...
Since I was booked and it was made public record of my arrest, how do I clear that? I am a pastor and have worked in the church most of my adult life. Background checks are a part of my regular routine with employers, volunteer organizations, etc. It will now forever show that I was arrested in GA for a suspended license. This was a wrongful arrest due to other peoples mistakes. How do I clear this of my record?
I should get a lawyer to help me with this, right? Should I get a lawyer here in TN to represent me in GA? Who pays the lawyer? This ordeal has already cost me time and money. If I get a lawyer, they will need to be paid for their service. If I shouldn't have been arrested in the first place, why should this cost me anything??? Do I have to counter-sue? If so, who do I sue? VA? GA? Both???
Any help or advice would be extremely helpful. Thanks!
I am a resident of TN. Moved here last year, before that I lived in Virginia. Last Wednesday, while driving through GA, I was stopped for speeding and then arrested for driving on a suspended license. Totally shocked and surprised by this as I haven't had any previous tickets or warrants. In jail I was even told by one of the prison employees processing my intake that the judge would probably throw my whole case out due to the officer who arrested me filling out poor paperwork and lack of notary on things were notary was required. Yet, I spent 16 hours in jail, unable to make a phone call to my wife in TN because it was 'long distance', was forced to post bond, it was a nightmare.
After researching this, my driving privilege in Virginia was suspended due to unpaid personal property taxes. Looking back on my personal records, the taxes were paid. I called to verify payment of my taxes with the county I lived in and got to the bottom of the problem. Apparently, when we moved, their computer wasn't updated properly and it showed that we still owed taxes beyond our move date. The county helped to correct the issue in their system and apologized for the inconvenience. So, they are sending me the documentation to show that I should not have had my license suspended and will allow me to clear my driving records with the DMV.
Now, I have two big questions...
Since I was booked and it was made public record of my arrest, how do I clear that? I am a pastor and have worked in the church most of my adult life. Background checks are a part of my regular routine with employers, volunteer organizations, etc. It will now forever show that I was arrested in GA for a suspended license. This was a wrongful arrest due to other peoples mistakes. How do I clear this of my record?
I should get a lawyer to help me with this, right? Should I get a lawyer here in TN to represent me in GA? Who pays the lawyer? This ordeal has already cost me time and money. If I get a lawyer, they will need to be paid for their service. If I shouldn't have been arrested in the first place, why should this cost me anything??? Do I have to counter-sue? If so, who do I sue? VA? GA? Both???
Any help or advice would be extremely helpful. Thanks!