Asked 1/27/2016 – Austin, TX

A law firm in the Houston area has been contacting me about a speeding ticket I have no knowledge of from 2001, stating a warrant has been issued. I had my driving record pulled and nowhere in my history is this ticket they state I am responsible for. I have looked it up with the court they are stating they are affiliated with, and there is a speeding ticket under my name from 2001. I have since been declined my drivers license renewal until I can clear this up.
What can I do to dispute this without having to go to jail? Wouldn’t they need to show proof of the ticket issued with the signature/date to verify validity if I request it?

Answer

First, a citation will not appear on your driving record unless a final a final judgment of guilty is entered on the case. If you never appeared in court or sent the court a plea of guilty nor no contest, that did not happen. , Second, the DPS will not release the hold on your license until they receive notice from the court to remove the hold. The court will do that when the ticket is paid or a bond is posted, the $30 omni fee is paid and the matter is set for court. Paying the fine will cause a conviction to be entered, If you were not the person who received the ticket in 2001, hire a local attorney, bond a bond and set the case for court to dispute the matter.