Road Law – August/September 2023
In life, we look for alternatives to address our needs and problems.
For various reasons, we choose one thing over another and hope that our decision is the correct one. Sometimes, we make a wrong decision and learn from our mistakes. But when someone tries to make you think you are dealing with or purchasing something specific and it turns out not to be the case, then you know why the saying “ I want the real McCoy” came to be.
Here are some recent questions from the membership.
Q. I received a traffic ticket and didn’t know what to do about it. I ended up hiring an organization to help, but I just learned that there are no attorneys there to discuss my case with. Did I make a bad decision?
A. Maybe. If you hired the organization to represent you in court, then they should be able to provide you with the name of the attorney that is going to handle your case and set up a conference call. However, the devil is in the details, and it may or may not have been clear as to what you were paying for. There are plenty of attorneys across the country that are willing to discuss your case with you before you pay any money, and you should always take advantage of that option so you can make an informed decision about your case.
Keep in mind that not all attorneys are familiar with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations or the state where your driver’s license is issued so you have to be careful.
Q. I thought I had hired a specific legal service provider on the internet to help me with my traffic ticket case. However, when I called their office, they had no record of me in their system. I think I may have been misled. Have you ever seen this?
A. Yes. This is a real problem on the internet, and how you searched for the organization you were looking for will help answer your question. It could be that you put in a web address that is similar that redirected you to another website or your search terms pulled up a link to a website that appeared to be what you were searching for but wasn’t.
Unfortunately, you were misled. If you can, you should ask for a refund so that you can hire the organization you originally intended to hire.
Q. I signed up for a membership club online to help me with a traffic ticket. When I called them for help, I was told that my membership didn’t cover pre-existing tickets, but that I could pay more money, and they would try to help me. Should I pay more?
A. It depends. The first thing you want to do when you join any club, legal plan, etc., is to see what you are getting for your money. Many of the options available are fairly limited in terms of what kind of service to expect.
If you receive a large membership booklet that has numerous exclusions buried in it or you are promised set fees for certain types of violations no matter where they occur in the country, then you should have questions about the suitability of the program for you. LL
Send any questions or comments regarding transportation law to: Jeff McConnell and James Mennella; Road Law, 3441 W. Memorial, Suite 4; Oklahoma City, OK 73134; call 405-242-2030; fax 888-588-8983; or contact them via RoadLaw.net.
This column is the opinion of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Land Line Magazine or its publisher. Please remember everyone’s legal situation is different. Consult with an attorney for specific advice on your situation.