Does this Sound Right to You?

17 years ago

And do your states do the same thing?

DD got a speeding ticket a couple of weeks back. She got the court notice yesterday in the mail. Between yesterday and today, she's gotten SEVEN letters from attorneys. Apparently, it's legal to sell names of violaters to lawyers.

Fact is, she doesn't live here--she changed her addresss with motor vehicles (they give you a sticker to put on the back of your license)--the officer scanned the FRONT of her license only, so everything's coming to my house. Had Mom a little concerned, until DD admitted that it was just a traffic ticket. Guess I'll be seeing more of these letters in the next week or so.

Just doesn't seem right to me, though, that the state is doing this. Thoughts? And is there anyplace else that does the same thing?

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Comments (16)

barb_from_pa
17 years ago
Doesn't sound right to me, either. Do you think the state really sells them or is the information just a matter of public record for enterprising shysters :)
azzalea
Original Author
17 years ago
Well, you're right--I'm not absolutely certain they were sold, or merely put out for anyone to pick up. Either way, though, I don't think it's right. It's no one's (no lawyer's, anyway) business when someone gets a ticket, IMO

Of course, my state also gives out the names of people who have submitted absentee ballots--something I think is REALLY dangerous. I voted that way once, when I was going to be out of town. Had I known that it was going to be publicized that no one would be home and the house would be empty, I'd NEVER have bothered to vote that year at all.
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Joann, my feeling is that when people are able to bend their punishments to suit their own personal schedules, they are MORE likely to commit infractions. It's definitely more of a deterrant if the punishment is a real punishment, and could result in them losing their job. What is this woman learning? Does anyone here think it's going to deter her from driving rescinded in the future? not me--she was a habitual (and I cannot even recount all the incidents the judge rattled off) offender. My sympathy for the kid who was taken off in handcuffs DOES NOT extend to wishing he could have gotten off--not at all. It's just that he was sitting in front of me, we spoke a bit, and he was a nice kid. I'm sure he was a lot nicer than some of the others I saw who perhaps had more financial resources. But regardless, if that was the appropriate punishment, I certainly support it. I really don't know the whole situation with the other boy, with the parents, and wasn't coming down on one side or the other, just recounting what I saw, and that it was interesting. When I said sad--I meant that the parents were so upset--it is sad to see someone upset, always. But I have no idea what was going on there.
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Mystical Manns
17 years ago
I've never heard of such a thing. I'm guessing that it's just that the lawyers offices are checking public record ... hope that's all it is, anyways. Maybe this is the evolution of 'ambulance chasing.'
nodakgal
17 years ago
It doesn't sound right...but I guess it could be.
Now days everything is online and available for all to see.
DH got a speeding ticket the end of April. A few days later, we checked on my states court pages and it was listed already! He hadn't even paid the fine yet! LOL
Our state DOES notify the insurance companies immediately though. He got a notice of it within a couple weeks I think it was. Used to be the insurance companies had to pay to get a copy of your driving record....I don't think they do anymore, its all online. The notice of inquiry for his driving record always has the name of the party who requested the information, we didn't recognise it and did a online search. That was how we found out the state sends in to some big company and they "give" the information to the insurance companies...
**sigh**
Dh doesn't get too many speeding tickets, I think he's had maybe 4 or 5 in 30+ years, but dang it when he gets picked up it is a doozy let me tell ya!
sushipup1
17 years ago
I think it's public record. Just like when you vote, the list of everyone who lives in that precinct is posted outside the door.
hayjud_mn
17 years ago
Police Fire Dept and Ambulance stops are public record. Here they are even in the paper. Those attorneys would be in the same catagory with "Ambulance chasers." They no doubt search the records daily and try to bring in business.
cindyb_va
17 years ago
Happened to me a few years ago. I live in Virginia, but was in NC on business and got a speeding ticket. By the time I got home, I had a dozen or so letters from attorneys. I panicked, because I thought I was being sued or something, but when I opened them, I realized they were all offers to represent me in court.

When I called New Hanover County, I was told that all traffic violations are posted on a website that anyone can access, including attorneys. The below link is an example of what their website looks like. I would be willing to bet your state has a similar website.

Personally, I think it's slimy.

The ironic thing is that their fees were more than paying the ticket. Since I had no points on my license, I just paid the fine by mail.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link
jannie
17 years ago
Last summer my husband got a well-deserved speeding ticket. We got many letters from lawyers, willing to help him fight it. Heck, the darn fool knew he did wrong. I yelled at him while the officer wrote out the ticket, and I still nag him about wasting $235, the cost of pleading guilty and paying the fine.
Lindsey_CA
17 years ago
Azzalea, many folks vote by absentee ballot even though they are going to be home. They want to get it over and done with, and not have to worry about standing in line on voting day.
kathi_mdgd
17 years ago
Happens here in Calif also.GS got a ticket a few years ago and the mailbox was filled with letters from attorneys,bailbonds men etc.He didn't need any of them
Kathi
gneegirl
17 years ago
Nothing is sacred anymore - not even your name. I really don't like beng this exposed. If I want someone/everyone to know something, I'll tell them. It really disturbs me that I have not control over "me" anymore. One leak leads to another, and then another. No telling who has what info.
wildchild
17 years ago
Pretty much public record.

Same thing happens if you file in small claims court. All the tv courtroom shows send out letters "inviting" you to be on Judge Judy etc.
FlamingO in AR
17 years ago
When Woody was driving an ambulance, empty, back from Ft. Smith to Springdale, he and his co-worker were rear-ended on the interstate, going 70 mph, by a man who fell asleep and hit the gas and was going about 90. Totalled the ambulance, but the guys weren't hurt. They scrambled out to help the man and his wife until help arrived.

For the next 3 months, we were inundated with attorney letters, all from lawyers who wanted Woody to file claims and sue the man. Woody wasn't even hurt, hadn't gone to the doctor, was simply listed in the paperwork. Lawyers didn't care- he was a warm body and I guess they hoped he was a greedy one.

Oh. We threw all the letters away, but kept their magnetic cards. lol I always need a magnet and you can cover them with pretty paper if you want.
dilly_dally
17 years ago
"Apparently, it's legal to sell names of violaters to lawyers."

They don't sell them. Court cases are published and anyone can read the court calendars.
carla35
17 years ago
I know we kind of assume speeding is nothing, but in reality it is breaking the law, and when the police and courts are involved, it's using tax payers money. So, publically posting the names or docket for court doesn't bother me. To me, it's not a personal invasion if you break the law.

And, of course there are going to be people who use that to their advantage. But, quite honestly, unlike cindyb, for insurance reasons and such, I would gladly pay (way over the ticket price) to not have points added onto my ticket, and would hire a lawyer to do so. Most everyone I know uses either a cheap lawyer or a lawyer friend to help plead down their tickets. I know it's annoying to get all that mail but obviously they're getting business or they wouldn't waste their time and money mailing the stuff. If you don't have a personal friend or family member lawyer, I'd hire one of those "junk mail" ones to plead down the ticket. It will ususal be a big money saver in the long run.
molly109
17 years ago
All the arrests, arraignments, etc., are listed in
our paper at least once a week. Public knowledge -
because as Carla said - "taxpayers money" is
used, so it is the taxpayers business.

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azzalea
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azzaleaOriginal Author

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azzalea
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