Wish me luck please!

[disbridemimi]

I got pulled over, and got a ticket. My registration had expired! I was shocked and horrified. Every year since I have owned a vehicle in Massachusetts I have gotten a re-new notice in the mail right before it expires. This time I did not.

Now normally I would just pay a ticket, but I really felt this was unfair. I called the registry to see what happened, the phone call took 37 minutes (not an 800 number BTW) and she told me they are no longer sending these letters out due to budget cuts. But then I got one for my other car. So she must have been wrong? My DF also got one. WTH?


I am terrified of the judge! I mean, my registration was expired. But on the other hand, how often does a reasonable person look at their car registration to see the date? I am afraid I am going to sound like an idiot.

Is this the same in every state? Do they send out notices to you? Would you know if yours had expired? Am I being unreasonable by appealing this ticket?

Any advice for what to say in front of the judge? I wrote down the name of the girl I spoke to at the RMV and i fixed it the same day i got pulled over.

 

[Justanopinion]

I'm in Texas so not the same state.

But they do mail the notices as a courtesy only. It is your responsibility as the owner of the car to know when to replace your stickers.

 

[merrily]

That's why I like NH. Your car registration (and state inspection) is due during your birth month. Easy to remember.

 

[disbridemimi]

That's why I like NH. Your car registration (and state inspection) is due during your birth month. Easy to remember.

That is brilliant! No need to send notices and easy to remember.

 

[MoniqueU]

They send it out here in CA no way I would even guess when any of ours are due.

 

[aprilgail2]

They send out notices for registration but not inspections- I know anyway that my registration is due in April every other year (we have 2 year registration here) and my inspection is due in Jan. On my other car the registration is due June and the inspection is due in September....I see the darn sticker everytime I get into the car LOL we have ours right on the drivers side windshield - pretty hard not to notice it....

 

[bicker]

We live in Massachusetts and have gotten notices for biannual registration renewals. We don't get notices for annual inspections.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I mean, my registration was expired. But on the other hand, how often does a reasonable person look at their car registration to see the date? I am afraid I am going to sound like an idiot.

Is this the same in every state? Do they send out notices to you? Would you know if yours had expired? Am I being unreasonable by appealing this ticket?

Are you joking? Of course you should know when your car expires.

If you rely on a notice then you are asking for a ticket.

 

[tar heel]

You probably won't go in front of a judge if my experience with an expired inspection sticker is any indication. You went and sat in the courtroom until your name was called by an asssistant DA. Then you went out in the hallway with 20 or so other people and showed him your proof that you had had the car inspected. He checked you off on his list and, at some point long after I had gone, gave it to the judge as the ones he wanted dismissed.

 

[phorsenuf]

I got pulled over, and got a ticket. My registration had expired! I was shocked and horrified. Every year since I have owned a vehicle in Massachusetts I have gotten a re-new notice in the mail right before it expires. This time I did not.

Now normally I would just pay a ticket, but I really felt this was unfair. I called the registry to see what happened, the phone call took 37 minutes (not an 800 number BTW) and she told me they are no longer sending these letters out due to budget cuts. But then I got one for my other car. So she must have been wrong? My DF also got one. WTH?


I am terrified of the judge! I mean, my registration was expired. But on the other hand, how often does a reasonable person look at their car registration to see the date? I am afraid I am going to sound like an idiot.

Is this the same in every state? Do they send out notices to you? Would you know if yours had expired? Am I being unreasonable by appealing this ticket?

Any advice for what to say in front of the judge? I wrote down the name of the girl I spoke to at the RMV and i fixed it the same day i got pulled over.

How long have you had this car? I'm assuming you must register it the same time every year. The judge is not going to care whether you may or may not have received a renewal notice in the mail. How many people could just come into court and say I never got it, didn't know. I highly doubt they are going to throw those all out just on someone's word.
If I were you I wouldn't waste your time to fight it. Just pay it. It's your responsibility to know these things and not rely on someone else to remind you.

 

[bicker]

In Massachusetts, car registrations run for two years. Inspections are every year.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I'm with the other posters that say to just pay the ticket and be done with it. YOU didn't register it and it is YOUR responsibility for ensuring that your vehicle is registered, inspected and insured every year - not DMV's.

Pay the ticket and act like a responsible adult. Don't waste anyone else's time.

 

[phorsenuf]

In Massachusetts, car registrations run for two years. Inspections are every year.

So that excuses her?

 

[Cool-Beans]

Luck.

But you won't win. I recently got a ticket while speeding to the hospital to see my mother who was bawling like a baby after receiving some pretty bad news. About a week later, I was supposed to be in court but we'd stopped the "life support" crap and I was sitting with her as she slowly slipped away. Had to make a choice between sitting with my dying mom and going to traffic court and I picked sitting with mom.

I went in and explained why I'd gotten the ticket and why I hadn't shown up for court - even had paperwork to prove it all - and got a "Sorry about your luck, you owe us $2xx.xx and you have to go to another city and give them $15 to get your license back."

They do not care at all about reasons, only being paid. So, good luck, but don't get your hopes up.

 

[AnimalKingdomLover15]

I have to say Mass DMV SUCKS! I have no record. (tixs etc) and one day I see the cops behind me, Then I hear them call for a second car and a tow truck
My license had been revoked due to medical, a year and half earlier and I WAS NEVER TOLD! like hello!!!!

I had to go to the hearing at the registry, it took all but 15 mins, but it cost me over 400! I was PISSED, and told the DMV, what? they cannot let you know if something is revoked?
so bottom line here is, it does not surprise me that you did not get are-newel, they do not like to mail things out!!

 

[agnes!]

Luck.

But you won't win. I recently got a ticket while speeding to the hospital to see my mother who was bawling like a baby after receiving some pretty bad news. About a week later, I was supposed to be in court but we'd stopped the "life support" crap and I was sitting with her as she slowly slipped away. Had to make a choice between sitting with my dying mom and going to traffic court and I picked sitting with mom.

I went in and explained why I'd gotten the ticket and why I hadn't shown up for court - even had paperwork to prove it all - and got a "Sorry about your luck, you owe us $2xx.xx and you have to go to another city and give them $15 to get your license back."

They do not care at all about reasons, only being paid. So, good luck, but don't get your hopes up.

I'm sorry for your loss Cool-Beans. And to get that ticket & all the license mess on top of it ...

I have to say Mass DMV SUCKS! I have no record. (tixs etc) and one day I see the cops behind me, Then I hear them call for a second car and a tow truck
My license had been revoked due to medical, a year and half earlier and I WAS NEVER TOLD! like hello!!!!

I had to go to the hearing at the registry, it took all but 15 mins, but it cost me over 400! I was PISSED, and told the DMV, what? they cannot let you know if something is revoked?
so bottom line here is, it does not surprise me that you did not get are-newel, they do not like to mail things out!!

Man, that's a nasty fine. I confess though - I'm having trouble understanding your post. You mean that they revoked your driver's license for a medical reason, like bad eyesight or seizures etc.? How were you able to be insured with a revoked license? And how could you get it back if it was revoked (and not revoked through their error & by mistake)?

agnes!

 

[Metsfan520]

How long have you had this car? I'm assuming you must register it the same time every year. The judge is not going to care whether you may or may not have received a renewal notice in the mail. How many people could just come into court and say I never got it, didn't know. I highly doubt they are going to throw those all out just on someone's word.
If I were you I wouldn't waste your time to fight it. Just pay it. It's your responsibility to know these things and not rely on someone else to remind you.

I agree. It's your responsibility, any notice is a courtesy on the part of the state.

 

[disykat]

It happened to me last year. Same thing, I was used to getting notified. Just pay the ticket.

I'm trying to be more careful, but I have to admit with 3 cars and 3 dirtbikes we have to keep track of I sure miss the notices! We still usually get them, but not always.

 

[bicker]

So that excuses her?

No, just clarifying the actuality.