Help on writting to a judge to have old tickets dismissed?

[tonyr]

I have recently relocated out of state with my g/f. I tried apply for a license and was told I should contact the Texas DPS. I found out that I had old tickets, 3 actually-from 2003. My license is currently expired, but I have to pay $1200 and wait 4-6 wks. I don't have the funds to pay the full amount. Is writting to a judge to ask for the tickets to be cut in half possible or do I have a good chance to get them dismissed?

How do you properly ask a Judge to have 7 yr old tickets to be dismissed? I'm sure they want their money. I have lived and worked in Texas my whole life up until now, and was never picked up at work nor did someone come to my house. How should I proceed?

-T

 

[jharris352]

Writing to a judge will do nothing at all. No they won't dismiss them, you got tickets, you ignored them, and now they have caught up with you. I tell people all the time, if you don't have the time and money to deal with an issue when it is fresh, when will you have the time and the money to deal with the issue and the penalties when it is stale.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, and you can complain that I'm preaching to you if you want, but you are stuck in a trap of your own making.

Try this: Call Texas DPS and talk to them. It is at lease POSSIBLE that they will work out a payment arrangement for you. It is somewhat unlikely but it is possible.

As far as challenging the tickets you didn't say there was any basis to do so other than they are old. That isn't a reason for the state to forego the ticket. Did you appear before the judge or is one of the tickets a failure to appear too? This is something that will NEVER go away until you deal with it.

I'm sorry but it's going to cost you money, time, and aggravation until this is dealt with. So my real advice is to pick up the phone and start working with them. You may find that they will be lenient with you and work with you somehow.

 

[tonyr]

When I called the DPS, the person I spoke with is the one that told me to write to a judge. Yes it was FTA, no mistake, it is my fault. I am willing to take care of this as soon as possible, the fastest way possible. I would just like to know my options since I was told I should write to a judge. But I don't see the judge taking time out of their day to open mail. I'm sure the office clerk will be the one reading my letter anyway.

Any other options on whom I need to contact?

-T

 

[jharris352]

It's not a matter of the Judge not opening his/her mail. That would be ex-parte communication and is not ethical. Try calling the solicitor (prosecutor) in the jurisdiction where you got the tickets and see if they will work out a deal with you that can be "approved" by the judge. That's more likely.