Dah ebil orcs be keepin dis Tauren down dis my story:
((Sorry i haven't been in game much latly but this is my story latly and all that i've been through))
((Hello, my name is Joshua and this is my story. I can’t believe that such a thing can occur in the United States of America, where defendants are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. I’m not a lawyer but I think our country was founded by people that were trying to escape the afore mentioned and believed that property couldn’t be confiscated without proper proof or a warrant. Perhaps I’m just naïve but what follows may serve as a warning to other Ohio citizens about their rights and privileges as a driver.
On Tuesday January 24th at 330pm I was headed from home to Columbus state community college to take an exam. At the corner of Hudson and Indianola I was pulled over. I’ve never had a moving violation in my life and only been pulled over one other time in my 13 years as a licensed driver in Ohio, but what follows should serve as a warning to others in the state. I pulled over to the parking lot of the 14-0 store on Hudson. I grabbed my drivers license and proof of insurance from my glove box to present to the officer. The Columbus police officer came up to my window an asked if I was Joshua Schutte as he took my license and proof of insurance card. I informed him that I was, he immediately asked to step out of vehicle and, asked me to place my hands behind my back. He then hand cuffed me, frisked me, and escorted me to the back of the cruiser. I asked what was wrong he informed that my license had been suspended; I asked how that was possible when I’d never had a moving violation in my life. He said I have been randomly selected for proof of insurance through the mail and hadn’t responded. I was shocked I had never heard of such a thing. The officers left me cuffed in the back of the vehicle while they finished writing up my ticket. While sitting in the back of the car I read their screen which said,” no not impound vehicle”, but I was too scared to speak up. They did in fact impound my vehicle. They were nice enough to call my girl friend who came and picked me up and take me to class. I was still in handcuffs when she arrived the officers took the cuffs off then gave me my ticket with a summons to court for a week later.
I went and took my exam and used the school computers to do an internet search for this state law. I learned that back 1999 Ohio became one of two states to allow the state B.M.V. to ask 5 percent of licensed drivers per year; for proof of insurance through the mail. The state first sends two regular letters a few months apart, then if you haven’t responded send a certified letter asking that you respond immediately or your license will be suspended. Turns out all these letter went to my former apartment, even though I had a change of address with the post office they weren’t forwarded and never seen by me. The next day my girl friend took me to the B.M.V. to get it all sorted out. I have had insurance with the same company for the past 2 – 3 years. I easily printed of proof of insurance on the internet. At the B.M.V. I was helped immediately and the clerk re-instated my license. I also mentioned that my car had been impounded, she shook her head and said the officers were not supposed to impound my car, they were only supposed to issue me a citation. She printed me a letter showing the instructions given the Columbus police officers that they ignored. The instructions read, “Notice to peace officer: no not arrest for driving under suspension based upon random verification noncompliance suspension nor fra suspension contained in this record. Do not seize vehicle, license, registration, nor plates. Issue citation only.” I was very upset, the officers were given clear instructions that they failed to follow.
Following that I went to the impound lot and got my truck back, I had to pay a 110 dollar fee. I asked the attendant about how my car was impounded illegally and he said it happens sometimes I should just mention it to the judge and they should reimburse me of fee, though it takes several months to do. I felt confident then that I was in the right and only needed to show up at court with the papers I have proving I had insurance, didn’t live anymore where the letters went, and showing that my truck had impounded illegally and I would get everything sorted out.
So today I had my day in court, January 31st. I got a chance to talk with the prosecutor who offered me a plea deal that could result in a 300 dollar fine for driving under suspension. I mentioned that my car had been impounded unjustly, that I never received any of the letters, and had had insurance the entire time. He refused to drop the charge against me only to offer a lesser charge that I would still have to pay a fine on. He even said I’d have to prove I didn’t receive the letters which I can do, but should it be on the state to prove I did receive the letters which I didn’t? I sat back down to think and wait to called before the judge. He wouldn’t look at any of my other documents proving what I said, he just glanced at the one showing the instructions the police were given and said I’d have to get a lawyer. He also said the deal probably wouldn’t be still offered if I asked for continuance to consult with a lawyer. I felt like the whole system wanted me to just plead guilty to something. Something I feel is not a crime. I got a continuance and now have to hire a lawyer. All because I got picked at random and someone else signed for the certified letter addressed to me. ))