Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

if i have been paying on court fees for filing and public defenders, and i become unable to continue paying the court because im unemployed, how can they suspend my licence? being that the last 8 cases there was no convictions im not on probation and havent been since 2009? they are suspending it over public defender fees and filing fees. should i write up a bill for all the money i have paid out traveling to court about 43x 35 miles round trip each time, 2 impounds one for 30 days at almost 3000.00 bucks one for 280.00, the bail i paid 2x 1500.00 all which were dropped and didnt get reamburst for having to pay tow companies to get my car out so i wouldnt loose it because they pushed my court date out so i would have to pay it so it wasnt sold before i went to court?? talk about bs. i have had enough harassment from this count to sue them and win. what do you think?


Asked on 2/23/17, 5:14 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

We don't offer 'legal' advice here, so I'm going to offer you some good faith insight into how you should be looking at this. You apparently pled guilty to committing a crime[s] and received a sentencing order that included fines and fees that in the opinion of the judge and prosecutor were appropriate. When you "became unable" to continue paying at the ordered rate, you could and should have returned to court and requested a change in the court order, and then complied with whatever new the judge ordered. You should not have just ignored the court sentencing orders by going about your normal way. Everything else that you describe is a result of not doing so, and not complying with the court's orders, and a result of getting yourself further into more trouble and conflict with the 'system'. Thinking that this is the court's fault and that you can complain or sue over it is going to get you even deeper into conflict with the court, in a way that you can not succeed and will not like. You have no legal 'right' to 'damages' or your costs you describe. No defendant does. The court and the 'law' expects you to obey the law, comply with its orders, and acknowledge its 'power' and authority over you. When you do, you'll stay our of trouble, and everything will start working better for you.

Now, if you still have to deal with the court, do so with a humble respectful attitude, an apology and a sincere promise to do things right in future. That will go a long way towards persuading the judge give you another chance.

If you don't believe or agree that what I've said applies to you, you are free to ignore it, at your own peril.

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Answered on 2/23/17, 8:49 am


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