Riddle Me This....

Ok, very looong story. Many moons ago, i made a dumb mistake of drinking some drinks and decided to leave a bar. Cop at the bar watched me leave and radioed in that i was leaving, so there were guys awaiting me to get into the car. Long story short, i got pulled over for DUI. I decided to wave my rights of blowing into a breathalizer and got my license suspended. Let me remind you, this was over 3 years ago.

Went to court, got probation, community service, DUI school, and a drug evaluation. I did everything the court asked of me. Go back to court, probation officer tells the judge everything is done and to excuse the case. Judge agrees and says goodbye.

i find out, to get my license back, i must call the DMV and tell them I have completed everything and they said to bring my DUI School Certificate and go up to the DMV and pay a fee to get it reinstated. Did all that, got a new ID.

3 years later, after being pulled over atleast 3 times for typical moving violations (got pulled over a month ago for no seatbelt as i just left the gas station, Georgia State Trooper gives me a $15 ticket, got pulled over for driving the Volvo without a license plate but as long as you have the bill of sale and proof of insurance, i was good to go) and being insured on my own policy as well as my company's insurance to drive the company car, I assume my License is Valid and good to go.

Coming home last night, i get stopped for an expired license plate (my fault, didnt know i had to have it done by my birthday, thought i had the month of November to get it done). Cop asks to see my ID and i kindly do what he asks. He comes back and says "why are you driving on an Suspended License?" I said "excuse me?" He said in his system, it still shows my ID being suspended from over 3 years ago. I said that is impossible as i had taken care of all of the issues and have been stopped atleast 3 times within the last 3 years and not once has the validity of my license ever been a concern.

He arrested me for Driving on a Suspended License and took me to jail last night. The cops in the police dept. were actually really cool and said there has to be a glitch in the system and they have never heard of this problem before. My bail was $3,0000!!! So, out and have contacted a lawyer. Awaiting to hear back from her. Called the DMV this morning and they said the same, my license is suspended. They said to re-instate it, i would have to come back to the DMV and pay $210. I said absolutely not, I've done that 3 years ago just for them to incorrectly enter it into their system.

My question is, what should i do? How can i be insured by 2 different Insurance companies and have been pulled over atleast 3 times by 3 different agencies and all 3 times my ID has come back as Valid. Just real angry at the system and think i am owed some sort of apology or something for their mistake...

Welcome to absolutely corrupted government at it's finest.

You can probably thank some dogooder politician for placing an amendment on a passing bill changing the rules. Of course the ones caught in the net are never told about it until it is too late.

The only thing I can say is bendover, take it, and hope your lawyer isn't a dumbass.

Brian

I can only assume you got some sort of paperwork or reciept from paying your fine 3 years ago. Show them that and end of discussion.

Stop breaking the law comes to mind, it amazes me how often some people are pulled over.

Other than that, do you have receipts/documents showing that you paid the initial fine?

This might be of interest to you. You are not alone.

I've now paid the same ticket twice, and reinstatement fees twice. To my insurance company and to everyone else so far, my liscence is clear and valid, but i wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if i got pulled over 5 years down the road and went to jail again for driving on a suspended liscence.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/got-arrested-last-night/11467/page1/

I must say, it was REALLY interesting going to court and getting berated by the same judge that was at my original court date, FOR NOT SHOWING UP AT MY ORIGINAL COURT DATE in which he was a total douche to me.

It was even more interesting showing up two days later to pay my "fines" with reciepts and proof of reinstatement from my first court date, and being told that since those records couldn't be found in their system, too berkeleying bad, you're paying them again.

Also interesting? I had my liscence taken away. I was somehow able to obtain a new clear copy from the BMV while it was still "suspended."

Brilliant.

Fight the rotten SOBs. This has happened to me. I got three days in a rural jail until my attorney got it straightened out. Do not pay them for their mistake. You will end up paying an attorney but the corrupt gov't gets nothing.

Been in a similar situation, got pulled over and cop said license was suspended. Went to the DMV and found out that between the DMV and the court, something got screwed up and they marked my license as suspended.

Went to traffic court with my original receipt from the DMV along with my driving record and the original court records from the ticket that got it suspended in the first place and presented it to the judge. Judge looked at it and dropped the case.

Still had to go to the DMV to pay the reinstatement fee. That poor government drone was lucky they didn't give me attitude that day. I was understandably a bit hot.

What caused all of this? The court apparently didn't file the paperwork properly with the DMV because the court thought I needed to come in for another court date and so the DMV sent out a notice that my license was suspended due to missing a court date. The mail went to an old address (that was corrected in the DMV's records, but apparently the case file didn't ever get updated) so I never received it. Oh and did I mention that the DMV was in the midst of throwing money at their new computer system that wasn't working yet? Yeah, the day the cop stopped me, he mentioned that I was the third or fourth person that had the same reaction. Later I read an article in the paper about the new DMV computer system and its troubles.

Bottom line? keep records of all of your transactions with the court and DMV and be ready to present them if there is a question on any of it. Even though you are technically innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law, it apparently doesn't apply when dealing with traffic infractions or DMV fees.

Once you get the court case settled and start the process of getting your court and jail fees sorted, you can then start working the DMV to get your license reinstated and the fees waved, work your way up the ladder until you get someone who will take care of you to shut you up so they can go back to their game of solitaire/web browsing.

z31maniac wrote: Stop breaking the law comes to mind, it amazes me how often some people are pulled over. Other than that, do you have receipts/documents showing that you paid the initial fine?

BTW, I was pulled over because the cop thought I was intoxicated thanks to the horrible ruts in the road combined with the wet weather to cause my turbo FWD Sundance to wander quite a bit under power.

I hadn't broken a driving law in nearly 5 years at that point.

You don't actually have to be breaking the law to get pulled over, just the suspicion that you're breaking the law is enough.

The only solution I can think of is to assemble a team of crack ex-black ops soldiers, felon computer hackers, and one really hot chick who is initially hostile toward you but can't help falling in love. It helps if she is the daughter of the Governor. Then, overthrow Georgia in a quick, gratuitously bloody Coup d'état where you will be menaced many times to prove your leadership and determination. As the new Totalitarian Ruler you can just give yourself a new driver's license!

turboswede wrote:

z31maniac wrote: Stop breaking the law comes to mind, it amazes me how often some people are pulled over. Other than that, do you have receipts/documents showing that you paid the initial fine?

BTW, I was pulled over because the cop thought I was intoxicated thanks to the horrible ruts in the road combined with the wet weather to cause my turbo FWD Sundance to wander quite a bit under power. I hadn't broken a driving law in nearly 5 years at that point. You don't actually have to be breaking the law to get pulled over, just the suspicion that you're breaking the law is enough.

As am I. I'm not a habitual violator. 2 of the last 3 times i was pulled over were for having purchased a car and was still within the 30 days to apply for a tag. The only ticket i have gotten in the last 3 years was the "Driving without a seatbelt."

Courts no longer serve Justice ,as was the original intent. Courts collect moneys, the facts be damned.

turboswede wrote:

z31maniac wrote: Stop breaking the law comes to mind, it amazes me how often some people are pulled over. Other than that, do you have receipts/documents showing that you paid the initial fine?

BTW, I was pulled over because the cop thought I was intoxicated thanks to the horrible ruts in the road combined with the wet weather to cause my turbo FWD Sundance to wander quite a bit under power. I hadn't broken a driving law in nearly 5 years at that point. You don't actually have to be breaking the law to get pulled over, just the suspicion that you're breaking the law is enough.

I know, you poor, persecuted soul you.

I guess it never occured to you that, "Hmmm there is inclement weather with poor road conditions, possibly I shouldn't be drinking past the legal limit of intoxication before driving home."

Or just "I shouldn't get drunk and drive."

Your talking to the guy (and his wife) who will take $40-50 cab ride home from the bar so we can avoid the kind of BS you are talking about.

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: As am I. I'm not a habitual violator. 2 of the last 3 times i was pulled over were for having purchased a car and was still within the 30 days to apply for a tag. The only ticket i have gotten in the last 3 years was the "Driving without a seatbelt."

Out and out laziness, when I bought my last E30, I drove it home from New Jersey.

Guess what? I already had the title and tag for the car before I boarded the plane to go to New Jersey. So I left New Jersey with a new OK tag, title, bill of sale and the car already insured with it's own policy.

It's called being an adult.

z31maniac wrote:

turboswede wrote:

z31maniac wrote: Stop breaking the law comes to mind, it amazes me how often some people are pulled over. Other than that, do you have receipts/documents showing that you paid the initial fine?

BTW, I was pulled over because the cop thought I was intoxicated thanks to the horrible ruts in the road combined with the wet weather to cause my turbo FWD Sundance to wander quite a bit under power. I hadn't broken a driving law in nearly 5 years at that point. You don't actually have to be breaking the law to get pulled over, just the suspicion that you're breaking the law is enough.

I know, you poor, persecuted soul you. I guess it never occured to you that, "Hmmm there is inclement weather with poor road conditions, possibly I shouldn't be drinking past the legal limit of intoxication before driving home." Or just "I shouldn't get drunk and drive." Your talking to the guy (and his wife) who will take $40-50 cab ride home from the bar so we can avoid the kind of BS you are talking about.

If I read the post correctly he was not drinking, just saying ...

My apologies, I confused OPs post with turboswede's.

z31maniac wrote: My apologies, I confused OPs post with turboswede's.

Wow, reading comprehension fail much?

The OP screwed up, he admitted it, did what the government asked him to do and has learned his lesson. We all make mistakes, how we choose to react to them is the important part. He chose to take corrective actions and not to make that mistake again, that's important and what he should have done. Why should he be punished for someone else (who has that power thanks to we the people) making a mistake with his information and then saying he now has to pay again just to correct their mistake?

I've made my share of mistakes, I'm not afraid to admit it. Lost my license for a year for driving while suspended and without insurance and getting into an accident (totaled my GLH-T, did some damage to someone's house) I paid for the damage to the house out of my pocket and took the bus for a year, paid the fines, paid a ton more money for car insurance, etc. That was almost 15 years ago. Since then I've had some speeding tickets (not many) etc. until that cop stopped me, I hadn't had a moving violation in 5 years (my record was nearly clean, dammit)

Still think we're in the wrong still? Still think we deserve to be abused by our own government?

turboswede wrote:

z31maniac wrote: My apologies, I confused OPs post with turboswede's.

Wow, reading comprehension fail much? The OP screwed up, he admitted it, did what the government asked him to do and has learned his lesson. We all make mistakes, how we choose to react to them is the important part. He chose to take corrective actions and not to make that mistake again, that's important and what he should have done. Why should he be punished for someone else (who has that power thanks to we the people) making a mistake with his information and then saying he now has to pay again just to correct their mistake? Still think we're in the wrong still? Still think we deserve to be abused by our own government?

Thanks for the support and understanding. I can guarantee you i havent had a drink and been behind the wheel since. All i do is go to work and go home, thats it, thats all. i have a family now, i have no time to be missing work because someone was half assing their work and screwed up my legality.

All this has done is put another dent in our savings that we were planning on getting a house with

I had similar problems in NJ with another person with the same name, physical description and same month and year birthday. He figured out I existed and when he got stopped for DUI, fleeing and eluding, no insurance etc., he claimed not to have his license with him and my DL# popped out of the system when they put that info in. The people at MV didn't want to believe me, but I kept insisting until I spoke with a senior manager who found his info in the system and realized what was happening. 3 license and 2 registration suspensions were then expunged from my record, along with about 18 tickets. You need to get to speak with a department manager, not a clerk. It may take a lawyer to get it straightened out, but no way should you have to pay any fees again. Good luck!

z31maniac wrote:

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: As am I. I'm not a habitual violator. 2 of the last 3 times i was pulled over were for having purchased a car and was still within the 30 days to apply for a tag. The only ticket i have gotten in the last 3 years was the "Driving without a seatbelt."

Out and out laziness, when I bought my last E30, I drove it home from New Jersey. Guess what? I already had the title and tag for the car before I boarded the plane to go to New Jersey. So I left New Jersey with a new OK tag, title, bill of sale and the car already insured with it's own policy. It's called being an adult.

Dude really? He wasn't breaking the law. Maybe he just hadn't time to get a tag yet. It is great you are so prepared but laziness would have been not getting a tag for the cars before the 30 days were up. You don't know his situation so stop being so damn judgmental

z31maniac wrote:

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: As am I. I'm not a habitual violator. 2 of the last 3 times i was pulled over were for having purchased a car and was still within the 30 days to apply for a tag. The only ticket i have gotten in the last 3 years was the "Driving without a seatbelt."

Out and out laziness, when I bought my last E30, I drove it home from New Jersey. Guess what? I already had the title and tag for the car before I boarded the plane to go to New Jersey. So I left New Jersey with a new OK tag, title, bill of sale and the car already insured with it's own policy. It's called being an adult.

I'll troll on this. OP screwed up and paid his debt to society and the fine prple of Georgia. Court clerk embezzled the money . Officer Donut reads the screen and feeds him back into the legal system to regurgitate money. Are any adults in charge of our legal system?

Who says the clerk embezzeled the money and it wasn't just an honest mistake?

My seriously clouded point was, had there been no DUI, this situation would have never materialized either.

turboswede wrote: Still think we're in the wrong still? Still think we deserve to be abused by our own government?

Still in the wrong? Yes. Deserve to be abused? No.

I apologize for going off, drunk driving is a SERIOUS hot button issue. I've had a couple of friends killed by drunk drivers. To me, there is never, ever ever any excuse for getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

I sincerely apologize again.

..... I think we all agree with you, but drunk driving isn't the subject of the thread.

It's local courts/BMVs not getting their E36 M3 done.

93celicaGT2 wrote: ..... I think we all agree with you, but drunk driving isn't the subject of the thread. It's local courts/BMVs not getting their E36 M3 done.

... Then continuing to persecute someone for a crime they have already been prosecuted for.

In reply to Datsun1500:

It works that way in Georgia - ask me how I know.

Emissions test(s), tag fee and ad valorem taxes are due before or on your birthday. IIRC, the cut-off used to be the last day of your birth month, but it was changed to your birthday.

Interestingly (and not related) I had one vehicle emission-tested almost three months before the deadline and the test was still valid at renewal.

My question is, what should i do?

That initial receipt for $210 is one of those things you should never throw away. EVER. I've got the receipt for every ticket I've paid in the last five years in my wallet, and copies in a file at home. Talk to a lawyer, but sadly, even though the burden of proof should be on the state, it's on you. Don't EVER, EVER, EVER throw stuff like that away.

If it makes you feel better, the goddamned state of Georgia just sent me (my business) a letter stating that they hadn't received our first quarter sales tax payment for 2004 (TWO-THOUSAND AND berkeleying FOUR!)

After 3 voicemails for some government berkeley stick, I finally stayed on hold for an HOUR AND A berkeleying HALF waiting to talk to him...at one point, some chick got on the phone. I hear in the background "Just tell him I'm still on the phone...." berkeley stick finally answers. Never apologizes for keeping me on hold for an hour and a half. We get finally get it sorted out. This was TWO WEEKS AGO.

YESTERDAY I get a call from said douchebag: "Mr. Shoveleroftehpoo, this is douchey mcdouchenstein with the GA dept. of revenue...." If I had the presence of mind, I would've put him on hold. Instead, I tell him we resolved the matter 2 weeks ago.

10 MINUTES LATER he calls again: "Uh, yes sir, I'm returning calls and I had a voicemail from you A COUPLE DAYS AGO, etc."

Jesus christ.