While I think it's ridiculous for the NY DMV to threaten suspension over such a minor traffic offense that happened 25 years ago, I do hope this woman isn't still driving anyway. Someone who has had three stokes probably isn't the safest person to be driving.

Workers at Colonie Town Court have been going through old files the past few years and alerting the DMV of any cases where drivers' licenses should have been suspended, said Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer.

Did Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer, if that is her real name, ever stop a moment to think about how utterly stupid her job is?

ZAZ: Workers at Colonie Town Court have been going through old files the past few years and alerting the DMV of any cases where drivers' licenses should have been suspended, said Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer.

Did Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer, if that is her real name, ever stop a moment to think about how utterly stupid her job is?

She's a government employee. If she didn't know when she signed up for the job, she probably knows by now.

ZAZ: Workers at Colonie Town Court have been going through old files the past few years and alerting the DMV of any cases where drivers' licenses should have been suspended, said Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer.

Did Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer, if that is her real name, ever stop a moment to think about how utterly stupid her job is?

The town is trying to get every penny it can since tax revenues have decreased. A bit absurd, but I can't really blame them.

Dude, it's Colonie. They make the Albany city services look sleek and efficient.

It's not like anyone pays attention in Colonie traffic anyway. I commute through it every day on Central Ave. and I see about one serious car vs bike/ped a month, just during the few minutes I'm rolling through. Everyone goes 15 over the limit, everyone seems to be steering with their knees, no one signals, and everyone is on the goddam phone.

Their only significant source of tax revenue is the vast empire of box stores and strip malls. It is where fun goes to die.

feckingmorons: The town is trying to get every penny it can since tax revenues have decreased. A bit absurd, but I can't really blame them.

Didn't take long for the "infringements are just revenue raising tactics" card to get played...

/yawn

soze: Dude, it's Colonie. They make the Albany city services look sleek and efficient.

it's been 20 years since i've been there. nice to know some things never change. condolences on your commute

FTFA: There is no statute of limitations if you fail to show up in court, he said.

So lemme get this straight: she got a ticket, never paid it, was 'summoned to court' but never appeared?

Was she ever notified that she needed to appear?
If she was and never did then I can't sympathize with the woman

FTFA: "Workers at Colonie Town Court have been going through old files the past few years and alerting the DMV of any cases where drivers' licenses should have been suspended, said Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer."

Hell, after that much time, it could very well be that she DID pay the damn thing and they "lost" the payment. Probably wrote a check, sent it in, and forgot about it, like a lot of people do. (Not like that's a smart idea though)

My last ticket resulted in getting a call from the trooper to warn me that a warrant was being issued. He was nice and called because he didn't figure I'd blow it off since I was so upset to be getting the ticket in the first place. Turns out I sent the check in and it disappeared somewhere between the post office and where it should have gone. Quick call to the magistrate and the next day I had it fixed, but still, shows that if no one ever called her/went looking to arrest her/etc. because her check got lost somewhere along the way it could have gone down like this.

What I'm trying to figure out: If she had the ticket in 84, and had tickets SINCE then, why wasn't there a warrant in the system for her? I would think if she got another ticket and they ran her license they'd see the warrant (for not paying the '84 ticket) and haul her in.

This whole thing just reeks of sloppy government clerk bullshiat.

Simple solution: show up to court and plead not guilty. If the cop who pulled her over is even still alive, he probably isn't a cop any more and thus won't show. Problem solved?

Simple solution: show up to court and plead not guilty

Yeah and run a couple of stop signs along the way, just to stick it to the man.

oren0: Simple solution: show up to court and plead not guilty.

District Attorney would prob throw out the ticket but then stick it to her for the Failure to Appear. Right?

Stealth FAILS, that's an alligator.

Phathead
Really? Sorta looks like a TOY to me.

FTA: "I'm retired, been retired for five years," she said. "I've had a heart attack and three strokes. I'm supposed to remember a ticket?"


Why the fark is the woman still DRIVING?

I used to be an E.M.T. (quit because of back problems) it depends on how big the strokes were too, could have been very small ones. Many people have mini-stokes and never even know it. A good doctor would/should inform his/her patient if they should or should not be driving.

gloomduckie: What I'm trying to figure out: If she had the ticket in 84, and had tickets SINCE then, why wasn't there a warrant in the system for her? I would think if she got another ticket and they ran her license they'd see the warrant (for not paying the '84 ticket) and haul her in.

This whole thing just reeks of sloppy government clerk bullshiat.

I would also think if she had a warrant, her license would be flagged when she went to renew it.

Perhaps the town could save some money by laying off the workers that have so little to do, that they have time to review 25 year old tickets?

Stealthdozer-Really? Sorta looks like a TOY to me...Who the fark has a dead alligator head for a "toy"?

Sigh....A few things:

First off, I HATE it when folks in the news share their ailments with the world that are totally unrelated to the news story at hand. The fact that you have had strokes and you are announcing to the world will not garner any sympathy, it will actually cause people to take pause and agree that you should not have your license. Unless you are physically bedridden/about to die...there is NO REASON to mention your problems.

Second, right to speedy trial? Right to face your accuser? Statute of limitations? Common sense? Seriously, what are they going to do? Put a 70 year old woman in jail for a "crime" that happened 25 years ago? Yeah, I would like to see them try that.

Any sane judge would throw this out after (s)he stopped laughing. However, if the court is in the same town as this DMV, the judge could have the same revenue generating motivation.

Pleading not guilty like she plans to do is probably the best option. Like someone else said, the cop is probably retired too.

If this escalates past being dismissed as a farce, she should firebomb the DMV. Then the DMV staff could experience a real and current crime.

//hates big gov't
//ready for the next civil war
//will now be on a watch list

This is the most boring episode of Cold Case ever . . .

Britney Spear's Speculum: FTFA: There is no statute of limitations if you fail to show up in court, he said.

So lemme get this straight: she got a ticket, never paid it, was 'summoned to court' but never appeared?

Was she ever notified that she needed to appear?
If she was and never did then I can't sympathize with the woman
Whatever happened to Statutes of Limitations? I would imagine running a red light would have a shorter one than 25 years. Skipping court, assuming she knew, for said offense should probably also have expired.

Or is there no statue of limitations for breaking ordinances? If that's true, that's horrid.

feckingmorons: ZAZ: Workers at Colonie Town Court have been going through old files the past few years and alerting the DMV of any cases where drivers' licenses should have been suspended, said Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer.

Did Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer, if that is her real name, ever stop a moment to think about how utterly stupid her job is?

The town is trying to get every penny it can since tax revenues have decreased. A bit absurd, but I can't really blame them.

I can. Her actions are unconstitutional based on the predicate of due process and speedy trial. 5th & 6th Amendments.

thelordofcheese: I can. Her actions are unconstitutional based on the predicate of due process and speedy trial. 5th & 6th Amendments.

Ppfft... like anyone cares about some old scribblings written by dead guys with funny hair.

/still trying to think up a clever way to quietly shiat upon the 3rd
//then we'll have the whole set

A former DMV employee, Van Houter said, "I'd be too embarassed to send something out after 25 years."

Which is why he's a former employee. If you are capable of being embarrassed, you do not qualify for any government job.

snuff3r 2009-05-17 01:08:03 AM feckingmorons: The town is trying to get every penny it can since tax revenues have decreased. A bit absurd, but I can't really blame them.

Didn't take long for the "infringements are just revenue raising tactics" card to get played...
=========================================

Um, they are. And I can guaruntee you if you ask a congressman they'll agree. Yeah, they make people safer too, but they raise revenue.

Like... parking tickets for instance. Purely a money-making scheme. As a citizen, I farking hate those kinda things. But as a congressman? I'd be dancing. The amount of revenue those things like that bring in are insane. And it's an excuse to not raise taxes :)

jake3988: snuff3r 2009-05-17 01:08:03 AM feckingmorons: The town is trying to get every penny it can since tax revenues have decreased. A bit absurd, but I can't really blame them.

Didn't take long for the "infringements are just revenue raising tactics" card to get played...
=========================================

Um, they are. And I can guaruntee you if you ask a congressman they'll agree. Yeah, they make people safer too, but they raise revenue.

Like... parking tickets for instance. Purely a money-making scheme. As a citizen, I farking hate those kinda things. But as a congressman? I'd be dancing. The amount of revenue those things like that bring in are insane. And it's an excuse to not raise taxes :)

Oh please, parking tickets DO serve an important (although admittedly non-safety use. If they didn't give them, people would start staking out and holding the most convenient areas of the city with junker cars that barely move, and probably fighting one another over the most profitable turf. The incidents where one guy tried to horn in on another's and it got physical would be a public hazard, and the rates would probably be unreasonable and strangle commerce.

It's in everyone's best interests to ensure a reasonable turnover time on parking in a city.

I know someone who recently got a NY traffic ticket in the mail, for an offense dating back to the 1980s. It appears they're getting desperate.

Abolish fines for traffic offenses. City pays the towing fee for illegally parked cars. Then we can see how much government really cares about safety and turnover.

ZAZ: City pays the towing fee for illegally parked cars

Why should I as a taxpayer have to foot the bill for that? You broke the law, you pay what it costs to rectify the situation.

Abolish fines for traffic offenses

Let's all just start shiatting money then. Maybe government will be able to pay for itself!

dervish16108: I know someone who recently got a NY traffic ticket in the mail, for an offense dating back to the 1980s. It appears they're getting desperate.

Desperate people with no means of escaping the corner they've painted themselves into tend to do really dumb things that get people killed.

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. She broke the law, she should deal with the consequences. She also ought to put on her big girl britches and cope.

Your Average Witty Fark User: Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. She broke the law, she should deal with the consequences. She also ought to put on her big girl britches and cope.

Because laws are ALWAYS correct, never ridiculous, applied even handedly, and never worth fighting against.

*facepalm*

TsukasaK: Your Average Witty Fark User: Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. She broke the law, she should deal with the consequences. She also ought to put on her big girl britches and cope.

Because laws are ALWAYS correct, never ridiculous, applied even handedly, and never worth fighting against.

*facepalm*

No, rather we should just believe this liar that she doesn't recall committing the infraction.

In case you weren't aware, once issued a ticket, you're presumed guilty unless you dispute the citation and prove your innocence. That's why cops aren't compelled to appear except by subpoena.

soze: Their only significant source of tax revenue is the vast empire of box stores and strip malls. It is where fun goes to die.

Hey that's my hometown you are.... describing all too accurately.

soze: Everyone goes 15 over the limit

That's impossible. Nobody goes more than 5 mph on Central Avenue in Colonie. NOBODY.

MusicMakeMyHeadPound - I commute from Rt 7 to Wolf Road everyday on that stretch. Unless you're riding a bike on that street, everyone ELSE is doing 45-50. Maybe you shouldn't be driving if you're only doing 5MPH.

Your Average Witty Fark User: TsukasaK: Your Average Witty Fark User: Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. She broke the law, she should deal with the consequences. She also ought to put on her big girl britches and cope.

Because laws are ALWAYS correct, never ridiculous, applied even handedly, and never worth fighting against.

*facepalm*

No, rather we should just believe this liar that she doesn't recall committing the infraction.

In case you weren't aware, once issued a ticket, you're presumed guilty unless you dispute the citation and prove your innocence. That's why cops aren't compelled to appear except by subpoena.

I don't believe you're an average witty fark user. You seem to be of the dorkish persuasion.

thelordofcheese: feckingmorons: ZAZ: Workers at Colonie Town Court have been going through old files the past few years and alerting the DMV of any cases where drivers' licenses should have been suspended, said Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer.

Did Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer, if that is her real name, ever stop a moment to think about how utterly stupid her job is?

The town is trying to get every penny it can since tax revenues have decreased. A bit absurd, but I can't really blame them.

I can. Her actions are unconstitutional based on the predicate of due process and speedy trial. 5th & 6th Amendments.

Speedy trial does not apply if the defendant fails to appear. How can they try you if you are not there?

Your Average Witty Fark User: TsukasaK: Your Average Witty Fark User: Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. She broke the law, she should deal with the consequences. She also ought to put on her big girl britches and cope.

Because laws are ALWAYS correct, never ridiculous, applied even handedly, and never worth fighting against.

*facepalm*

No, rather we should just believe this liar that she doesn't recall committing the infraction.

In case you weren't aware, once issued a ticket, you're presumed guilty unless you dispute the citation and prove your innocence. That's why cops aren't compelled to appear except by subpoena.

God you are an idiot.

She should just stall them until 2036, not 2034, subby. Then the computers will crap themselves and lose the record of her fine for good

Who says gov't isn't efficient?

McKeesport Beer Baron
The cat's owner, presumably.

feckingmorons: thelordofcheese: feckingmorons: ZAZ: Workers at Colonie Town Court have been going through old files the past few years and alerting the DMV of any cases where drivers' licenses should have been suspended, said Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer.

Did Deputy Court Clerk Nikki Lawyer, if that is her real name, ever stop a moment to think about how utterly stupid her job is?

The town is trying to get every penny it can since tax revenues have decreased. A bit absurd, but I can't really blame them.

I can. Her actions are unconstitutional based on the predicate of due process and speedy trial. 5th & 6th Amendments.

Speedy trial does not apply if the defendant fails to appear. How can they try you if you are not there?

In absentia. Either that or file a bench warrant or vacate the prosecution by dropping the charges. Waiting 25 years to file new charges without new evidence or continual court actions of postponement is patently against due process and arguably against attempting a speedy trial.

Farxist Marxist: Your Average Witty Fark User: TsukasaK: Your Average Witty Fark User: Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. She broke the law, she should deal with the consequences. She also ought to put on her big girl britches and cope.

Because laws are ALWAYS correct, never ridiculous, applied even handedly, and never worth fighting against.

*facepalm*

No, rather we should just believe this liar that she doesn't recall committing the infraction.

In case you weren't aware, once issued a ticket, you're presumed guilty unless you dispute the citation and prove your innocence. That's why cops aren't compelled to appear except by subpoena.

I don't believe you're an average witty fark user. You seem to be of the dorkish persuasion.

Oh, but I disagree. I'm just as cunning and snarky as everyone else.