Misidentification OOS traffic ticket

[andaval]

Hey, I've got a friend who has lived in OR his whole life and had a DL since 1992. He was recently told he can't renew his license because of an outstanding ticket for no valid license in Iowa from back in 2000. He has never been to Iowa but apparently back in 2000, someone was pulled over without a license in Iowa, and they gave his name and birthday (he has a common name) to the police, along with an Iowa address (no ID, just verbal). The car registration was in someone else's name at a different address, and my friend never had the type of car they were driving. He is trying to deal with this from Oregon but the Iowa people are making it difficult and are telling him he needs a lawyer. He doesn't have a lot of extra money for a lawyer or the ticket and is kind of bummed about getting bent over like this. Is there anything he can do to minimize his out of pocket expenses and resolve this or does he really need a lawyer? Thanks for any help, he's been a good guy to me and I'd like to help him with this if I can.

 

[cinchhorn]

Have your friend call the PD, SO or DPS agency that cited the driver. Ask for a copy of the said ticket. Explain your situation and if need be file a identity theft report with that PD, SO, or DPS. If your signature does not match the one on the ticket then say bye bye to your ticket. After all is said and done, ask why the officer does not verify the identity of drivers in Iowa or if this was a misnomer. Once Iowa fixes/releases the disputed ticket, TX DPS will get the all clear and your then clear to renew. TX DPS will probably need copies of the Iowa paperwork, so make copies for yourself.

 

[andaval]

Checking the signatures is a great idea, thanks!

 

[alden]

Weird problem. Surprised this doesn't happen more often. Maybe we just don't hear about it. I always wondered how the police dealt with this problem. Apparently badly.

I don't think there's anything you technically need a lawyer for. You can always represent yourself "pro se" (sometime to your detriment of course).

Nice sig pic, BTW.

 

[Bernard]

Sucks for your friend, but it's pretty funny that he can't renew his license (note he actually has a license) because he got a ticket for not having a license. Classic.

How about just fighting the ticket? Get a letter from the Oregon DPS confirming your friend had a valid license in 2000. Send the letter to Iowa and try to get the ticket dismissed. Of course, they court will probably want to tack on a bunch of fine for failure to appear or some such.

Bernard