Fighting a Fix-It Ticket (yeah i'm laughing too)

[blahbleebloo]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

Okay, I realize that I'm likely to get laughed off this forum, but I decided that I'm willing to risk it, and more than likely join in the laughter at my own expense.

I have been quite frustrated with the DMV of late, because apparently they suspended my registration for no insurance. The frustration there lies in the fact that I had insurance before, during and after the suspension went into place. At any rate, I decided, whatever, I'll just send in my proof of insurance (they wouldn't take it at the office), pay the $14 reinstatement fee, plus my dues and get things taken care of. Not gonna make a federal case over it.

Well this was about 3 weeks ago. I literally jumped through all of their hoops, and found out through the website that there were no more insurance issues with my registration. I assumed that I was just waiting on my sticker.

Then I got a ticket...imagine my surprise when the cop told me that my registration was still expired! Not suspended mind you (I specifically asked), but expired. Everything was paid and done, but apparently the DMV couldn't get around to actually renewing my registration, even though they cleared the suspension?

I realize that this is just a fix it ticket, and yeah I'll probably just send in the proof of correction and $10 admin fee and be done with it. And maybe I just figured I could vent a bit on this forum and feel better. But my question for the experts is: Is it even possible to fight a fix it ticket? (even if not worth it in the long run, other then to maybe yell at the DMV a bit )

Annie

 

[Zigner]

Did you have a current year tag on your vehicle?

 

[CourtClerk]

The correction fee is $25, not $10.

Yes, it's possible to fight a fix it ticket, and I guess if your time is worth less than $25, then go for it. Frankly, I have better things to do.

Oh, and this happened to me once by accident (no fault of my own). The DMV did NOT charge me any fees because I could prove I had insurance at the time of the supposed "suspension." I have no idea why they charged you. In fact, they let me handle the whole thing via fax.

 

[blahbleebloo]

Yikes...I thought it was $10...guess it went up since I had a broken tail light a few years ago. Glad to know that..thanks!

And I handled the whole thing via email, and even provided my proof in insurance from back when they suspended me, but they still wanted their $14 reinstatement fee, so I went ahead and paid it to get the wheels moving so to speak.

And to answer Zigner, no I didn't have a current year sticker, but I was told by the DMV and the cop that issued the citation that as long as it said that the registration was current in the computer that I was fine to wait for the sticker. The problem was that they didn't update the computer.

Well, I guess all in all I'll be out $39 over a silly clerical error. I'd say lesson learned..but i'm not really sure what i could've done to prevent it, other than renew a little earlier. Thanks for your time! I love you all!

Annie

 

[blahbleebloo]

Regarding the $25...I got the ticket from a Nevada City police officer...do you know if it's the same fee everywhere? I would imagine so, but I don't want to send in $25 and then find out that I should've sent $35. I've been scouring the Nevada City courthouse website and the amount of the fee appears to be absent.

Annie

 

[I_Got_Banned]

You'lll find the Bail Schedule here: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/reference/documents/2010_jcbail.pdf

Question is, was you citation marked as "correctable"?

ETA: And you'll have to have the citation signed off by law enforcement before you can get the court to accept the correction...

Proof of Correction
If there are any mechanical, insurance or registration violations included in the citation, proof of correction will be required before you can pay the citation. To get the proof of correction, first fix the problem for which you were cited and then take your citation to the law enforcement agency that cited you and in turn, they will then "sign off" the ticket. The signed-off ticket must be included along with any fine or fee due when you mail in your payment or bring it into our offices.

 

[blahbleebloo]

You'lll find the Bail Schedule here: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/reference/documents/2010_jcbail.pdf

Question is, was you citation marked as "correctable"?

ETA: And you'll have to have the citation signed off by law enforcement before you can get the court to accept the correction...

Awesome...guess that means that applies to Nevada City too...thank ya kindly!

And to answer your question, yes it was marked as correctable.

Also, the ticket that I received says:

"Registration and driver's license violations may be certified as corrected at an office of the Department of Motor Vehicles or by any clerk or deputy clerk of a court."

Could be just my interpretation, but it doesn't look like I necessarily have to have it signed off by a police officer.

Anyhoo, you all rock! Have a great day!

 

[CdwJava]

The bail schedule lists recommendations and does not guarantee how individual county courts might apply fines and fees. It is a good baseline, but do not assume that your costs from your court will be identical.

 

[blahbleebloo]

Further Complications that prompted another question

Hello again, Happy Wednesday!

So yesterday I attempted to pay my $25 admin fee and provide my proof of correction to the Nevada County court, just wanting the whole thing to be over and done with. It turns out, however that the officer that issued the citation to me never turned it in to the court...?

They wouldn't let me pay my $25 and I was advised to call back Monday or Tuesday of next week to see if the officer turned it in.

My questions are thus:

The court date listed on the ticket is today...when/if the officer does turn in the citation, I'm assuming I will receive a new court date/deadline?

Does the officer have any time limit in which to turn this citation in to the court? Or do I just need to perpetually wait?

Honestly I was just hoping that this whole thing would be behind me by now.

 

[CourtClerk]

The court date listed on the ticket is today...when/if the officer does turn in the citation, I'm assuming I will receive a new court date/deadline?

Your assumption is correct.

Does the officer have any time limit in which to turn this citation in to the court?

One year from the date of violation

 

[blahbleebloo]

Exactly what I needed, thank you so much! Have a nice rest of the week!