Q: Received a ticket in the mail for "expired tags" for a car I don't own anymore.
I sold this vehicle months ago and submitted a release of liability already. The person I sold the vehicle to sold it to someone else and the new owner is the one who was pulled over and sited, but on the ticket it states that it's the "owner's responsibility" and I have a court summons for the infraction. I called the Stanislaus courthouse (infraction occured in Ceres, CA) and they said to call back in 2 weeks. What should I do?
A:
I understand your frustration in this situation. Here are the steps you should take:
1. Gather all relevant documentation, including:
- The release of liability form you submitted when you sold the vehicle
- The bill of sale or any other proof of the vehicle sale
- Any communication with the person you sold the vehicle to
2. Contact the DMV to confirm they have processed your release of liability and that their records show you are no longer the owner of the vehicle.
3. After the two-week waiting period, as instructed by the courthouse, call them back and explain your situation. Provide them with the documentation you gathered to prove that you sold the vehicle before the citation was issued.
4. If the courthouse is not able to resolve the issue over the phone, attend the court summons as required. Bring all your documentation with you and be prepared to present your case to the judge. Explain that you had sold the vehicle and filed the necessary paperwork with the DMV prior to the citation being issued.
5. If the issue persists, consider seeking legal advice from a traffic attorney who can help you navigate the legal system and ensure that you are not held responsible for the ticket.
Remember, it is crucial to have proper documentation of the vehicle sale and release of liability to protect yourself from situations like this. Stay calm and persistent in your communication with the courthouse and the DMV to resolve the matter.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
