Unpaid "Fix It Ticket" and missed court date

[eurobeaner]

Hi, i live in California and need some advice on what i should do given my circumstances.

3 years ago i received 2 "fix it tickets" for expired registration and proof of insurance on my truck, i did have it insured but no paperwork in the truck *kicks self* (work truck). However, i had picked up a very serious illness shortly after i received these tickets. Long story short i was bed ridden for about 10 months (i have medical bills as proof). Basically, i missed my court date and could not pay the fines because i had incredibly huge medical bills. Unfortunately my tickets went to collections and DMV has suspended my license.

Now, i am healthy enough to start work again but i need to drive to work (i live in the mountains). I have spent hours on the phone talking with the collection agency, DMV, and the Fresno court house and haven't gotten any real answers other than pay the amount in FULL. Well, the amount has accumulated to well over $2500.00 wich i certainly cant afford. I was told i cant make payments and will not get the suspension lifted from my license until the amount has been paid.

Would presenting my case to a judge be my best option at the small chance he may be able to dismiss the suspension? Is there any other option i might have?

I have read that the statute of limitations is 7 years for something like this to fall off my record, but i cant wait that long considering the economy is so bad, my wife and i are struggling to make ends meet. I am usually very responsible but this was a big mess up on my part. I would just like to know my best course of action.

P.S. The traffic violations were in Fresno county ( i live in Madera county) i'm not sure if that makes any difference.

I'm rather lost right now so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thx in advance

[FlyingRon]

I got bad news for you. A suspension is not going to magically "fall off your record" in seven years or seventy.

Lets see, you failed to renew in a timely fashion.
You failed to deal with the fixits in a timely fashion (you could have done so way in advance of your court date).
You were unable to appear but never bothered to contact to the court to address the situation.
You got well, knowing you failed to appear, but still waited another two years to inquire as to what you could do.

A lawyer for a much smaller amount of money then you currently owe could have dealt with your issues if you'd done so in a timely fashion.

The $2500 is most likely just the fines, etc... there are probably additional hoops with the DMV. All in all you're going to pay one massive procrastination tax.


Looks bleak to me, but maybe one of the california experts can offer something I'm missing.

[eurobeaner]

Originally Posted by FlyingRon

I got bad news for you. A suspension is not going to magically "fall off your record" in seven years or seventy.

Lets see, you failed to renew in a timely fashion.
You failed to deal with the fixits in a timely fashion (you could have done so way in advance of your court date).
You were unable to appear but never bothered to contact to the court to address the situation.
You got well, knowing you failed to appear, but still waited another two years to inquire as to what you could do.

A lawyer for a much smaller amount of money then you currently owe could have dealt with your issues if you'd done so in a timely fashion.

The $2500 is most likely just the fines, etc... there are probably additional hoops with the DMV. All in all you're going to pay one massive procrastination tax.


Looks bleak to me, but maybe one of the california experts can offer something I'm missing.

Maybe i wasn't as specific as i should have been. But, i was bed ridden for 10 months. I'm not trying to be disrespectful but this doesn't mean i was miraculously cured after 10 months. I haven't been working since. I realize that i dropped the ball on this, I'm not trying to make excuses here. I just want to know if i have any options. (I'm not trying to get out of paying fines, i just cant pay it in 1 lump sum.)

[racer72]

Maybe i wasn't as specific as i should have been. But, i was bed ridden for 10 months.

This doesn't mean squat then, now or in the future. There were other options such as hiring an attorney to take care of the tickets. Plus the fact you have waited 3 years is another strike. You might qualify for an occupational license till you can raise the funds to pay the tickets.

[CdwJava]

The bottom line si that the state will not clear your license until you have cleared the failure to appear. There might also be an arrest warrant for you, but often courts are opting to suspend a license and proceed civilly as opposed to ordering someone to court.

You MIGHT be able to find a way to gob ack to court and bypass any collections fees that are attached, but that's not an area I have a great deal of experience with. though there are a couple of posters that might have some experience in that area.

- Carl