Court suggests I use my tax rebate to pay 12 year old speeding ticket
Quick backstory: 2 weeks ago I received a notice in the mail from Scottsdale (AZ) City court telling me I owe them 680 bucks for a ticket from (get ready for this) 12 freaking years ago.
Yes, a ticket from 1996.
Today I received another notice stating that if I don’t pay that amount within 5 days, the Arizona DMV will suspend my license. They also happened to include this handy little “suggestion”:
Click for bigger pic.
Now, I have a few questions about this:
- Are cities so strapped for money that they are going back through the archives to find ways to collect money? or
- Are they doing this so that they can grab a chunk of the “economic stimulus” (aka socialist income redistribution) ?
As for the ticket, I actually remember getting pulled over and receiving that ticket, and to the best of my knowledge, I had paid that ticket in full in 1996. After receiving the first notice, I called the court and demanded my day in court so that I may question the officer as to whether he can identify me as the driver of that vehicle 12 years ago. The court refused to grant me a date in court, stating I need to pay the ticket no matter what.
I intend to ignore their notices and if anything, mail them a picutre of the money they claim I owe. If they refuse to grant me a day in court (which I am willing to travel from Las Vegas to Scottsdale to appear), why should I pay them anything at all?
CLick..CLick!!!!! The sound of my almighty and all knowing friend getting handcuffed. Don’t drop the soap big guy!! HAHA
Hey Bid Daddy J’s illegal ass kickers!
Quick ?……What’s the statute of limitations? I was under the impression that 7 years is maximum for states? The 6th Amendment grants the right to a speedy trial. Doesn’t this co-exist with violations of this nature? I know this isn’t the type of “crime” for a jury, but I thought “court requests” were granted in this type of scenario?
This is a really riduculous situation. However, I think you should try to “settle” with them by offering a lower, more reasonable amount. They hold all the cards and can make things difficult for you otherwise. I’m sure they will negotiate, so just hold your nose and do it.
And, yes, cities ARE that strapped for cash!!
Do you have a canceled check or anything? I would not let them try to extort me in this way. This is exactly why I keep a PERMANENT file for such instances. I would hire a lawyer at the very least. Maybe publish a copy of their demand along with a copy of your proof of payment (if you have it) in the local paper?
Years ago I went through something similar with the credit bureau and a 6 year and 9 month old medical bill that my insurance company had paid. What started out as a $700 medical bill ended up as-w/interest-as a $4000 bill. We got papers from the insurance company (which we had to pay for) a week AFTER the trial. We had an incompetent attorney and we lost. The judge (good friends with the woman who ran the credit bureau) socked us with even more interest. The state of Indiana had even cited the credit bureau for not keeping accurate records and not computerizing them. We started going through a divorce at that time and on the advice of a very good lawyer-declared bankruptcy. I now keep things filed or know exactly where I can get duplicates immediately. That has saved me quite a bit because those greedy people prey on people who are not prepared. Life is not fair and the problem is we expect it to be. That’s what we have been taught-the good and honest prevail. Rabbit raisins! But karma does eventually catch up. The woman at the credit bureau is fighting dementia and the judge’s husband dropped dead (stroke or heart attack or something). Admin, get advice from a competent attorney and fight the crooks.
@swampy-
Unfortunately I don’t have anything to show that I paid it. It was 12 years ago, including multiple interstate relocations, and time served in the military.
Admin.,
I wouldn’t give’em one red cent! First of all they half to prove without a doubt that you didn’t pay the alleged fine. If you have ( like you say you have) there will be record of said payment somewhere!
It would seem that the state of Arizona is really desperate for cash flow, so what better way than to make up bullshit to extort money from the public, especially those who no longer live in said state.
IAB!
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