Legal Question in Traffic Law in Alaska

I was pulled over by an Alaska State Trooper around the Palmer area. I showed him my proof of insurance but could not find my registration. He came back to my car with a citation for $1000.00 for not having proof of insurance in a certain zone. I reminded him I had shown him my insurance card and he apologized and ripped to citation up. Now three months later, I came back from commercial fishing in Southeast AK and I had a letter waiting for me that said I failed to pay the $1000.00 citation and could be issued a warrant for my arrest. I never signed the citation, it never even left his hand so I'm not sure if they can enforce it. All the information for how to pay or contest the citation is on the citation I never received there was no way I couldn't responded to it. Also, the trooper told me not to worry about it when he ripped it up so I wasn't aware I even had a citation. The kicker is, I checked out my insurance records and it turns out it had lapsed four days before the date of the offense due to an issue with my auto pay. Can they enforce the citation if the trooper ripped it up on the spot?


Asked on 9/07/10, 3:49 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terrence Thorgaard Thorgaard Law Firm

The trooper may have forgotten that he ripped it up and, turned all his copies in for prosecution. I think if you contacted the agency which sent you the letter (court or AST?), you should be able to resolve the problem.

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Answered on 9/12/10, 8:01 pm


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