Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania

My mother was convicted of a crime involving a vehicle and the victim sued her. This took place about 20 years ago and my mother is unable to get her license due to the lawsuit but she not able to pay the large amount of the lawsuit due to the fact she lives off of a limited income, disability. In PA they suspend your license for civil suits against you. Is there any way for her to get her license back? She needs to be able to drive. I am currently in Afghanistan and last year she moved out to Colorado to watch my house for me while I was deployed, she has not been able to get around without asking people for rides, walking or taking a taxi. I think that in 20 years, it is safe to say that she is just unable to pay the large amount requested. What are her legal options? Thanks for any help you can provide.


Asked on 1/21/11, 3:17 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Richard Teitell Richard K. Teitell, Esquire, P.C.

1. Good luck on your deployment & thank you for your service!! 2. In Pa, the state licensing agency (PennDot) can suspend a person's driver's license if there is an unpaid court judgment involving a car accident. However, judgments are only good for 20 years. I believe (but am not positive) that if the judgment was more than 20 years ago PennDot will remove the license suspension. Your mom can try to call PennDot & ask (I think it's the driver licensing bureau within PennDot). If PennDot will remove a suspension if the judgment is more than 20 years ago, let me know the county where the court judgment was, and your mom's name, & if I can access the court web site I'll let you know the date of the judgment.

Read more
Answered on 1/26/11, 8:36 am


Related Questions & Answers

More General Civil Litigation questions and answers in Pennsylvania