Posted on 07/02/2017 6:52:40 PM PDT by hapnHal
Drivers in California will no longer have their driver's licenses suspended because of "UNPAID" traffic fines.
Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation this week saying license suspensions do not help the state collect unpaid fines and only harm low-income people.
Right now in California, if you do not pay your traffic fine, you could get your license suspended, and if you fail to appear in court, you could be arrested.
Starting this Saturday, courts will no longer be able to suspend someone's driver's license simply because of unpaid fines.
That's a relief for many since they say suspended licenses prevent people from being able to legally drive to work.
Government officials said, "there does not appear to be a strong connection" between suspended licenses and the collection of ticket fines.
However, many disagree and believe this new law will take away the punishment and lead to more unpaid fines.
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, about 480,000 people have suspended driver's licenses for unpaid traffic tickets or missing court appearances.
The new law will not apply to those whose licenses are already suspended.
"This law is not retroactive, so this law is not going to have any effect on the current 480,000 people whose licenses have been suspended. This law will help people in the future," said Armando Botello, Deputy Director at the DMV.
With this new policy in place, court officials say there will essentially be no enforcement. Unpaid traffic fines will become an uncollected debt, which could be turned over to a collection agency.
According to the new law, courts will still be able to suspend licenses for failing to appear in court.
This new policy will take effect on July 1.
Can the rest of the country say they will not recognize California drivers licenses? No check on illegals and now allowing drivers to ignore unpaid fines.
They ought to do this for fathers (or mothers) who are behind in their child support payments. Taking away their drivers’ licenses is counterproductive. By the way, I am an old woman who has no dog to hunt here, I just think this is very foolish.
When there are no repercussions for bad actions, then you will get more of them!!!!!!!!
If they are illegal, how about simply deport them?
Never made any sense to me either. How do they get to a job to pay up without a driver’s license?
So they will spend some time in Jail for the original Citation if they don’t pay up, right?
Does this mean we can use the Toll Roads for free?
What is missing???
If you are pulled over and have a suspended license, can the officer still impound your vehicle? This is a big owiee?
Part of the problem is that when someone does not pay their initial traffic fine, the fine does not double, but instead increases to an insane amount. I’ve seen 10x the initial fine and as much as $1200. How is someone who can no longer legally drive and is low income to begin with pay that kind of money? It is a tax on the poor. I’m concerned that a high percentage of those nearly half million are also running around without insurance. And it is clogging up the court system. Is there not a better way to encourage compliance?
” Is there not a better way to encourage compliance?”
Slash all of the environmental regulations.
California is now the number one destination for criminals. It’s the criminal magnet!
I’m actually not complaining; I just wish a few more friends and my family would get the heck out of there.
Only if you’re a conservative in California, and/or outside the favored circle of leftists in the Bay Area/Silicon Valley.
Then they will smite you to the fullest extent of the law with that suspension.
Same with my remaining family there. The only things in their favor are their familiarity with the area and (for one of them) years of experience defending against determined/organized criminals.
I’m retired LE and the number one reason people came to our jail was driving with license suspended or revoked. It is a great strain on our system and taking away a driver’s license just means people will drive without one. You can say the law is the law, but that is the reality. Until technology makes it impossible, people will drive with or without a license. Ease up on the laws and wait for technology to catch up.
Why would Californians keep paying their traffic fines no?
I say do away with drivers licenses all together. /s
If you watch LIVE PD you would know that NO ONE has a valid drivers license anymore. They either never bothered to get one, or it is suspended or revoked.
What is the punishment for this driving without a license? ANOTHER ticket and they drive off.
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