Could use some lawyers up in here
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Could use some lawyers up in here
So a while back I told you guys about the change this year from 30 to 7 days to register a vehicle purchased from a private party. That law is ridiculous, but that's not the point of this post.
Today I was going to run by during lunch to pay the fine but I was curious about he amount and noticed the online option on the ticket. This was a Norcross city ticket and they've partnered with a company to create http://www.ticketfastpay.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I knew this type of fine was generally $50-100. I went to ticketfastpay and was shocked to find the fine was $210. That just didn't seem right, even minus the $10 convenience fee for paying online (that alone seems exorbitant, but whatever). The code section I violated listed on the ticket was 40-2-20. I googled "code Georgia" and found the current version on Justia.com. It states the fine in the last section, "... punished by a fine not exceeding $100.00."
I then went to the Norcross municipal website to see what it said about fines. They have a link to the same Justia.com copy, and also have this tidbit on their page:
"The fine amounts are set by the Judge and are based on surveys of fine amounts held by local municipalities. "
Well.. I don't know why he's checking other municipalities, but it seems to me he should check the law FOERST. I can kind of understand keeping things on par with other local cities, but still.
At that point I'm confused, and a little angry, but decide to calmly call the courthouse for clarification because I certainly don't know the full framework of State Law + Municipal law. The lady I speak to doesn't' know, but says the police department can explain the codes and I ask her to transfer me.
On the phone with the police department, I'm told that they don't deal with fines, just enforcement of the code and he points the finger back at the court. The runaround is never fun, but I immediately realize he's right and it IS the court I need to talk to.
So I call the court back and this time it's a different lady and I explain my question again, basically, "They fine you are giving is $200. The state code says the fine is not to exceed $100. Is this a State fine plus a municipal fine on top of it, or what? Does it have something to do with being pulled over within city limits?". She asks me to hold and when it picks back up there is a gentleman on the line.
He said the best thing to do is to come into the court and talk to the judge, but I tell him I'd much rather pay now than take time off work, but I just want to make sure everything is on the up and up. He says the judge isn't available directly and comes in on court days, but he would try to get in touch with him and get back to me, but couldn't promise (my court date is Tuesday so I made my urgency clear).
To my pleasant surprise I got a voicemail message back from him very promptly. He said he spoke to a court administrator and the fine had been entered incorrectly into the system, that it is actually $100.
I went online to pay again and it was already adjusted to $105. Now it's only a $5 convenience fee... why should a convenience fee like this be a percentage? Anyway... I paid it.
So... stand up for yourself and keep them in check! I'm really curious how long it's been wrong. Was it just my ticket, or everybody with that type of violation? Maybe it's all fines across the board, speeding, parking, etc. Maybe it was an honest mistake. Maybe it's mass corruption due to budget pressures or even sheer greed. Maybe it's even related Courtware, the company selling the ticketfastpay service. Maybe the judge surveyed other municipalities and they are also overcharging on fines. Maybe there should be an iTeam investigation.
Today I was going to run by during lunch to pay the fine but I was curious about he amount and noticed the online option on the ticket. This was a Norcross city ticket and they've partnered with a company to create http://www.ticketfastpay.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I knew this type of fine was generally $50-100. I went to ticketfastpay and was shocked to find the fine was $210. That just didn't seem right, even minus the $10 convenience fee for paying online (that alone seems exorbitant, but whatever). The code section I violated listed on the ticket was 40-2-20. I googled "code Georgia" and found the current version on Justia.com. It states the fine in the last section, "... punished by a fine not exceeding $100.00."
I then went to the Norcross municipal website to see what it said about fines. They have a link to the same Justia.com copy, and also have this tidbit on their page:
"The fine amounts are set by the Judge and are based on surveys of fine amounts held by local municipalities. "
Well.. I don't know why he's checking other municipalities, but it seems to me he should check the law FOERST. I can kind of understand keeping things on par with other local cities, but still.
At that point I'm confused, and a little angry, but decide to calmly call the courthouse for clarification because I certainly don't know the full framework of State Law + Municipal law. The lady I speak to doesn't' know, but says the police department can explain the codes and I ask her to transfer me.
On the phone with the police department, I'm told that they don't deal with fines, just enforcement of the code and he points the finger back at the court. The runaround is never fun, but I immediately realize he's right and it IS the court I need to talk to.
So I call the court back and this time it's a different lady and I explain my question again, basically, "They fine you are giving is $200. The state code says the fine is not to exceed $100. Is this a State fine plus a municipal fine on top of it, or what? Does it have something to do with being pulled over within city limits?". She asks me to hold and when it picks back up there is a gentleman on the line.
He said the best thing to do is to come into the court and talk to the judge, but I tell him I'd much rather pay now than take time off work, but I just want to make sure everything is on the up and up. He says the judge isn't available directly and comes in on court days, but he would try to get in touch with him and get back to me, but couldn't promise (my court date is Tuesday so I made my urgency clear).
To my pleasant surprise I got a voicemail message back from him very promptly. He said he spoke to a court administrator and the fine had been entered incorrectly into the system, that it is actually $100.
I went online to pay again and it was already adjusted to $105. Now it's only a $5 convenience fee... why should a convenience fee like this be a percentage? Anyway... I paid it.
So... stand up for yourself and keep them in check! I'm really curious how long it's been wrong. Was it just my ticket, or everybody with that type of violation? Maybe it's all fines across the board, speeding, parking, etc. Maybe it was an honest mistake. Maybe it's mass corruption due to budget pressures or even sheer greed. Maybe it's even related Courtware, the company selling the ticketfastpay service. Maybe the judge surveyed other municipalities and they are also overcharging on fines. Maybe there should be an iTeam investigation.
Re: Could use some lawyers up in here
You are a gross violator of driving laws.. it's okay to pay once in a while. It's just your drive as you want pass. Haha.
Re: Could use some lawyers up in here
In my personal experiences I have found that it is ALWAYS better to go to court and face the judge. I have gotten out of a LOT of fines by showing up to court looking nice and asking for leniency
siccccckkkkkkkk
Re: Could use some lawyers up in here
You guys are missing the point. Did you read my whole message? I'm all for going to court, have done it many times and had charges completely thrown out.
This is about fines being entered incorrectly into the system and charging more than what the law allows. I'm talking about injustice, not getting out of or simply having fines reduced.
This is about fines being entered incorrectly into the system and charging more than what the law allows. I'm talking about injustice, not getting out of or simply having fines reduced.
Re: Could use some lawyers up in here
ever since i got my reckless driving ticket i have urged my friends to go to court BEFORE their court date and try to talk to someone. glad you saw that through and it worked out for you tony.
Re: Could use some lawyers up in here
foilman wrote:You guys are missing the point. Did you read my whole message? I'm all for going to court, have done it many times and had charges completely thrown out.
This is about fines being entered incorrectly into the system and charging more than what the law allows. I'm talking about injustice, not getting out of or simply having fines reduced.
If you could just remove most of the words from your post we would read the whole thing.............
btw-congrats on the ass kicking!!
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Re: Could use some lawyers up in here
Don't know if there are any lawyers around here. A few shitheads maybe, couple alright guys... one pharmacist.
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Re: Could use some lawyers up in here
foilman wrote:You guys are missing the point. Did you read my whole message? I'm all for going to court, have done it many times and had charges completely thrown out.
This is about fines being entered incorrectly into the system and charging more than what the law allows. I'm talking about injustice, not getting out of or simply having fines reduced.
I read the whole thing and boy are my brains tired!!!
So they entered the wrong amount into the system. Im sure it happens all the time, as in every day, and people pay whatever shit the court tells them because thats what the court says to pay.
Which brings me back to my original point: go to court, it could pay off.
siccccckkkkkkkk
Re: Could use some lawyers up in here
TONY YOU ARE A CRIMINAL.