Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Florida

I live in Florida and am trying to get my license renewed. However, Florida says their database shows through the drivers registry that I am suspended out of New York. I'VE NEVER EVEN BEEN TO NEW YORK. I got a reference number from my DMV here and called the New York DMV. They said something about drugs. I looked online a little more and they have an inmate in their jail right now who is a black male, with my same name and birthday. The difference is I'm white with a Florida drivers license. Now New York wants me to send all types of identification such as a copy of my birth certificate and social security card to the DMV before they will send me a clearance letter after their investigation. Is this normal??? Or is there some other way I should handle it. I've already sent per their request an "it's not me" letter with a copy of my Florida ID. I just have a problem with the way this whole thing is happening. Like I said, I've never even visited New York and now have to prove this isn't me. It's taking a toll on my job and family not being able to drive. The Florida DMV won't do anything until this is cleared up with New York. I don't know how to proceed.


Asked on 10/20/09, 7:03 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alan Wagner Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore P.A.

Sounds like a pain, but you are headed in the right direction. You can bring a claim to force Florida to give you a license, but thatwill take longer and be more expensive that clearing this up with the NY DMV people.

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Answered on 10/21/09, 8:50 am


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