Arizona Suspended License

[marinepilot]

But the fact, that nothing was required to reinstate her license besides a reinstatement fee were required seems like an admission of guilt on the part of the state. Should there have been something she failed to complete, the state would have required that in addition as it would be a necessary step.
- This fact means nothing at all. Maybe she was required to do an additional thing that she missed, but now since so much time has gone by they figure they'll just take the fee to turn her license privilege back on. It does not in any way function as an admission of guilt. More a function of time in that they feel she's already paid her dues by being suspended for so long. Get this idea out of your head, it is wholly incorrect.

What was required of her was for her to pay the fine, and pay and attend traffic school. Both of which she accomplished on time.
- And obviously another step, which she did not, and now probably does not remember, hence her suspended DL.

Also, there is no assumption needed by the state that this individual operates a motor vehicle. She was cited by the above violation and has several cars registered with the state. Also, the only explanation was provided was paperwork didn't filed properly. And, it seems from the above response that further information can not be requested with no way to appeal the states decision to wrongfully suspend her license.
- You never mentioned the state assuming she operated a motor vehicle. Your statement was:

...but you can not however deny that it safe to assume a person over the age of 17 operates a motor vehicle.

And I stated you were incorrect. Maybe YOU can not deny that it is safe to assume a person over the age of 17 operates a motor vehicle, but the state does not. They assume that everyone should obey their law that if their license is suspended, they will NOT operate a motor vehicle, and I and others gave you multiple examples of this being the truth. However, some will drive on a suspended license, and that is where the state keeps us around to catch those people.

I personally feel the state should be required to notify drivers should their license be suspended. It is also by a LEOs admission that the DMV fails to correctly and timely file proper paperwork which seems to be the primary issue here. Obviously everything on her part was done correctly or that would be required of her before the license could be reinstated.
- Again, your feeling does not rectify the situation. Feel all you wish, and if you feel strongly enough, petition your legislators as they are the ones who WRITE the laws. We as LEO's just ENFORCE the law (Law ENFORCEMENT Officers). And again, it has been told to you that the state DOES notify drivers should their license become suspended. My state does it when you sign for your license, as explained in one of my posts above. They also attempt to notify you after the fact, but many things can get in the way there, such as you may have moved, the mail may have been lost, etc. The fact remains that it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that YOUR driving privilege is valid by following all rules. And that fact goes for following up on what her part was when she received the ticket. If there was any question that her license could be suspended after not completing the requirements you state she did complete, then she should have been aggressively pursuing the knowledge that she, in fact, DID complete all steps and that her license remained valid. Your privilege, your responsibility.

I see this forum as a way for me to express myself as a member of the community to LEOs to let them know how the members of the community feel about some of their procedures, and hopefully some understanding of my concerns can be had.
- I too am glad you feel this forum is a way for your to let us know your opinions. Unfortunately, your opinions and concerns in this case have little to nothing to do with our procedures. The ticket was issued by a robot with a camera. The form letter she received telling her how to take care of it was issued by a computer. When she turned in her fine and paperwork stating her class was complete, also recorded by machine. When that machine realized all hoops had not been jumped through, it suspended her license and attempted to notify her (although she should have already known). All those robots, computers, and machines were part of the DMV in that state, NOT Law Enforcement Officers. When you called to find out how to reinstate her license, did you call DMV or the local police department where it happened?

Answers embedded in bold.

[Ckypros]

Well let me just state that they obviously had our address because it was a photo ticket that arrived in the mail. Plus, in accordance with laws, we update our DLs everytime we move. So it seems rather unlikely there was an attempt to contact her (it was my mailing address).

There is more than the computer element of a binary response in this situation as the human element exists since paperwork has to be mailed to the state showing completion of the course, requiring human interaction before a computer can do anything with it. What is there to protect citizens should something happen, such as the person of the state files it wrong, or it is lost in the mail? Clearly should it not arrive the state will not make any attempt to contact the person to notify them otherwise and will rather just suspend their license without notification.

This is a seriously flawed situation.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I'm sure there exists an appeals process.

[marinepilot]

Well let me just state that they obviously had our address because it was a photo ticket that arrived in the mail. Plus, in accordance with laws, we update our DLs everytime we move. So it seems rather unlikely there was an attempt to contact her (it was my mailing address).

There is more than the computer element of a binary response in this situation as the human element exists since paperwork has to be mailed to the state showing completion of the course, requiring human interaction before a computer can do anything with it. What is there to protect citizens should something happen, such as the person of the state files it wrong, or it is lost in the mail? Clearly should it not arrive the state will not make any attempt to contact the person to notify them otherwise and will rather just suspend their license without notification.

This is a seriously flawed situation.

You keep harping on how the state suspended her license without notification, yet multiple times you've been advised that there WAS notification in many different forms. I believe that you have your mind made up about how wrong everyone else is and you're right no matter what. So I'm lost as to why you keep asking the question you've already made up your mind you know the answer to?

Yes, the state does hire beaurocratic underlings to stuff envelopes full of papers. Do you TRULY believe that someone who's making a paltry salary stuffing envelopes will read your case, of the THOUSANDS they process each day, and have the intelligence to understand that YOU require super-special attention and unlimited help and attempts at notification? There is a process by which the driver makes sure their priliege to drive is not suspended, and that is the DRIVER takes responsiblity to follow through and ensure everything is up to par.

The situation may be flawed, but you do not seem to accept that anyone but the state is to blame. Couldn't be your friend, no way, has to be this large, slow moving, rule following beaurocratic machine of the state out to get her.

[Ckypros]

Sgt. Slaughter, an Arizona verified LEO specially stated the state does not notify regarding suspended licenses. That is where my information came from. He also stated there was no way to request more information regarding it and that my only option was to let it drop off her record over time. So please do not think I am ignoring you, but he seems to have been able to directly ascertain the few details that have concerned me on here.

I am not saying the state is out to get anyone. Rather, I am saying the state does not have its citizens in its interest in this situation. Is that a fair statement? Had they not received something, or should something have been lost in filing, communication is all that would have been required to resolve matters.

Also, the only part of the situation I can not 100% confirm is the actual story of the incident, though in the pictures, it seems to convey the same story she told me with a guy right on her 6 o'clock all the way through the light. Everything else I was right there a long with as she lived at my residence. I paid the fine and for the school. The ticket came to my mailbox.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Sgt. Slaughter, an Arizona verified LEO specially stated the state does not notify regarding suspended licenses. That is where my information came from. He also stated there was no way to request more information regarding it and that my only option was to let it drop off her record over time. So please do not think I am ignoring you, but he seems to have been able to directly ascertain the few details that have concerned me on here.

I am not saying the state is out to get anyone. Rather, I am saying the state does not have its citizens in its interest in this situation. Is that a fair statement? Had they not received something, or should something have been lost in filing, communication is all that would have been required to resolve matters.

Also, the only part of the situation I can not 100% confirm is the actual story of the incident, though in the pictures, it seems to convey the same story she told me with a guy right on her 6 o'clock all the way through the light. Everything else I was right there a long with as she lived at my residence. I paid the fine and for the school. The ticket came to my mailbox.

The record is hers and subsequent requests for information must come from her, not you. Don't put words in the Sarge's mouth. Focus on reading comprehension. YOU cannot solicit information about another person's record. Even if you two were actually married, her record is hers to query.

[Ckypros]

Now, she is stuck with a suspended license on her record. Her record is clean aside from the red light violation and a accident 7 years ago, but I am stuck paying hiked up insurance premiums as a result of this to the tune of over $400 a year. Is there anyway to have this removed from her record? Yes. Time.

And how long will this affect her record? Personal driving records are held for 5 years.

Is there anyway I can request more detailed information as to why it was suspended even in the first place? No. You can't.

Perhaps that will assist in having it erased from her record, assuming that is possible? It's not possible.

The above quoted was Sgt. Slaughters words.

Well perhaps there was a misunderstanding and I apologize, but it was not of my intention to personally obtain her information. Rather I was asking is it possible. I do not intend to send her on a goose chase should it actually be one. But from his information, it is illustrated in my mind that there does not exist a way to get this removed from record.

At the time, she told me she would just deal with it and go to traffic school so we didn't have to pay the fine and get points. Afterwords she realized she had to pay the fine AND do traffic school AND get points which I am still paying for since her license got suspended for a reason we have been unable to establish. So, you're saying she could contact the state and request the exact reasoning for license suspension?

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Sounds like she was unclear from the beginning about what to do and what the consequences would be.

She can always contact MVD and ask, but she'll probably have to go to an office in person or send an affidavit which has been notarized to get any info. I doubt they'll do it over the phone for reasons of not being able to verify to whom they're speaking.

[mcsap]

If this situation is TRULY as offensive as you make it out to be I HOPE that you have spent more time contacting your state legislator ( who has the authority to make the changes you want) than you have being on here.

[Ckypros]

Is it fair to assume the CA DMV would be unable to reference this information since it is out of state? Secondly, we often visit my mom in Yuma, AZ, which is in a different county, could that DMV have that information or we have to go to the exact county?

[Cat_Doc]

Have your domestic partner send a letter of inquiry to the Arizona MVD explaining in chronological order what occurred to the best of your knowledge. The state will have all records of when notices were mailed out and actions taken. If there was a procedural error on the state's part, I am sure they will make amends. If there was an error on your domestic partner's part, the suspension record will remain.

Your partner can certainly handle this at the Yuma office. MVD is a state agency, not county.

Your partner may also attempt an appeal with the insurance carrier explaining circumstances so that the increased insurance payments may be adjusted, but that is between you and the carrier, not the state's responsibility.

Sgt. Slaughter is correct in that the state will not recognize any correspondence from you as you have no official standing in the issue.

Good luck and thanks for being polite during the discussion.

[Ckypros]

Ok thank you all for taking the time to respond to my questions and concerns. I really appreciate all of you who go out of your way and interact with the community in this way.