Driver's license; suspension for nonpayment of fines or costs. (SB1612)
Introduced By
Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
☐ |
Passed Committee |
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Passed House |
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Passed Senate |
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Signed by Governor |
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Became Law |
Description
Suspension of driver's license for nonpayment of fines or costs. Repeals the requirement that the driver's license of a person convicted of any violation of the law who fails or refuses to provide for immediate payment of fines or costs be suspended. The bill also removes a provision allowing the court to require a defendant to present a summary prepared by the Department of Motor Vehicles of the other courts in which the defendant also owes fines and costs. The bill requires the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to reinstate any person's privilege to drive a motor vehicle that was suspended prior to July 1, 2019, solely for nonpayment of fines or costs. This bill was incorporated into SB 1013. Read the Bill »
Status
01/14/2019: Incorporated into Another Bill
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/09/2019 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/19 19104216D |
| 01/09/2019 | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
| 01/14/2019 | Incorporated by Courts of Justice (SB1013-Stanley) (14-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
Comments
Then why pay any of the fines
A court has many ways to ensure that people pay court costs — not just taking away somebody's driver's license. (Otherwise, people who do not have a driver's license would never have to pay court costs.)
Most people use their cars to get to work, to make money, so they can then pay their fines. Suspending their driver's license is counter-productive.
People promptly pay if they lose their license OR if they are threatened with losing their licences. If they do not pay their fines and costs(which they have been ordered to as part of their sentencing) then they will have to be "show caused" by the court and brought before the judge. If legislature's intention is to greatly increase dockets and nonpayment of fines and costs then by all means pass it.