MacTheWolf (imported) wrote: Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:35 pm I've looked and haven't found any legal aid within 10 ten miles of me.

Bear in mind I'm hoofing it.

On 61 year old hoofs - heh hen

I understand, but you do have resources to protect.

Right now, my biggest concern is fighting depression.

• Mom being in nursing home

• Chance she'll die soon.

• Lack of transportation

• My computer is getting old

• And my Time Warner cable is acting up. Repair guy is due Thursday afternoon.

Too much all at one time. Alas, such is life.

Never boring.

You don't need us bosing you around. I understand. Take care of yourself. I have limited resosurces and I feel some of the sort of pressure you feel, though without having to deal with a seriously ill parent.

There is probably some old saying that says " just when things seem at their darknest, a ray of light appears."

In my case, it just became darker.

I received a warning letter from San Bernardino County Central Collections on a traffic ticket I received three years ago for driving without a seatbelt. It says I owe $1,231.00 and they've suspended my drivers license and failure to pay may mean additional criminal penalities including fines or jail time.

I called them and explained the problem but they want their money so told me to abandon my mother and go to work to earn them their money. Failure to pay them and they will garnish my wages (what wages), attachment of assets (no assets here in my name except a car than doesn't run) or they will intercept my tax return.

Any free legal advice I'll gladly accept.

Beam me up Scotty....anyplace but here.

MacTheWolf (imported) wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:41 pm There is probably some old saying that says " just when things seem at their darknest, a ray of light appears."

In my case, it just became darker.

I received a warning letter from San Bernardino County Central Collections on a traffic ticket I received three years ago for driving without a seatbelt. It says I owe $1,231.00 and they've suspended my drivers license and failure to pay may mean additional criminal penalities including fines or jail time.

I called them and explained the problem but they want their money so told me to abandon my mother and go to work to earn them their money. Failure to pay them and they will garnish my wages (what wages), attachment of assets (no assets here in my name except a car than doesn't run) or they will intercept my tax return.

Any free legal advice I'll gladly accept.

Beam me up Scotty....anyplace but here.

$1,231.00 How is the fine that much?

Community service work (taking care of an invalid). I'm serious.

The original fine, I think, was $150 when I received the ticket three years ago. The rest is fines, the most recent one this year is $300 making the amount owed $1,231.

One minor correction from my earlier post. It may be just semantics but, Central Collections didn't use the word "suspended" referring to my Driver's License. Their exact wording was: "...and a DMV hold has been placed on your driver's license." Probably means the same thing.

What I Need: Problem with solution.

A rich relative My relatives are all deceased or impoverished.

A rich wife I may be wrong but I doubt that a toothless. 61 year

old man with no job, assets, checking or savings

account is in great demand right now

Win the Lotto Given the 10 million + to one odds of winning, I never

play it.

One bit of unrelated news. I told friends in chat that the nearest fire was 60+ miles from me. Apparently I have been avoiding watching the local news. There are fires in our high mountains (20+ miles from me) threatening Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead and Grass Valley. Two nights ago the skies were clear due to high winds. Tonight I can't see any stars from the high rising smoke.

The way you take care of the ticket is by settling with them for the original amount. It works for other types of collections, and it can work here. You tell them you have no job, no money, and no way to get any. Then you say that if they want any part of it, you can afford to give them the original amount (you don't worry about whether you have the original amount or not). If they won't accept that, you tell them, they'll get nothing and spend pointless time going after non-existent wages and taxes.

plix (imported) wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:00 pm The way you take care of the ticket is by settling with them for the original amount. It works for other types of collections, and it can work here. You tell them you have no job, no money, and no way to get any. Then you say that if they want any part of it, you can afford to give them the original amount (you don't worry about whether you have the original amount or not). If they won't accept that, you tell them, they'll get nothing and spend pointless time going after non-existent wages and taxes.

Interesting suggestion.

Wolfe I know you live by thoes fires so do keep your beard wet we dont need a wolfe without a beard.

If this is a criminal offence and since (I presume) you haven't taken a guilty plea, you are entitled to demand a trial (with a jury if you wish) or a hearing before a magistrate or hearing examiner. You stand a better chance of dismissal or reduction before an examiner if you have that choice. At any rate, unless California is even stranger than I think, you do not have to accept the decision from the collections office unless you admit guilt. Telling you to abandon your mother and go to work is typical of the sort of ploy used to collect bills by private collection agencies. Implied threats and intimidation are their only job skills. Good luck whatever you decide to do. The threat of your story going to the news media (what a public relations nightmare!) may help. If that doesn't work find the lowest form of T.V. tabloid local news and give them the story. --FLO--