I got two tickets for riding a bus and not paying the fair. However my previous employer provided us with bus cards and I know I swip when I get on and off the bus. So I wrote the letter below. The only thing I'm concerned about is the tickets have been paid. Not sure if they can pull them from collections since I paid them, what do you think?
Dear Judge,
I previously wrote to the court back around June of 2011 concerning failure to pay fair tickets I received while on the A line; ticket numbers xxxxxxx and xxxxxxx. I advised my job provided me with the Orca card I used from 8/2008 - 8/2011. The court did grant me a couple hearins; however, my job was going through a merger and would not give me the time off.
I now have a sense of urgency because I'm trying to purchase a home and was reminded of these collections As you can see the tickets have been paid in full to just take care of the problem since I couldn't get to the court house I would like the court to view the attached documents showing proof of the Orca card I was issued, and have the collections pulled from my record. If needed a letter on company letterhead can be provided.
I don't think it's right to require I live with these collections for the next 7yrs when they were unfounded from the beginning. I know the fact that I've proved having an Orca card doesn't mean I swiped it before getting on the bus ( I always swipe getting off and on) but I think it's pretty clear the city was paid to allow me to ride the bus by my old employer, and now I've had to pay $140 each ticket in an attempt to clear my name.
I'm asking the court to please consider my circumstances and the proof of having a funded Orca card (more can be provided) when making your decision. These two collections have clouded my credit, and I'm jost about begging the court to do what I believe to be the right decision and pull them from collections. If a hearing is required for this to happen I am ready to show up. My current employer has been advised of the situation and has already agreed to give me the time off needed to resolve this.
What does everyone think of my letter?
I just received a call from the court, they said because the tickets are paid the court has not been removed from the issue. . Had I not paid them the court would have pulled them from collections and I could have paid them directly as a worst case. Best case the judge would have pulled them from collections and lowered the fine. I'm so broken over this!!! After I paid the tickets Iknew it was a bad idea, this sucks!! what do I do now?? Alliance One never pulls anything back! Do I have any legal ground to have them removed? there has to be something I can do.
****@2:57pm pst*****
I spoke called the court back and was told the judge has not made a decison on this as the clerk didn't submit my letter. WTH!! The clerk made appointed her self as the judge and called to deny me.. The new clerk advised she has submitted the letter for the judge to review. I can't believe this, is that legal for the clerk to do that? how can you ever be sure an actual judge is making a decison on your request.
Starting Score: 615Any input for me??
The orca card was that a monthly card or per ride.
Starting Score: 0It's actually a yearly card
To The Honorable (last name)
On or about June 2011 I sent correspondance to the court reguarding failure to pay fare tickets that I recieved while riding the A line. The ticket numbers are xxxxxxx and xxxxxxx. issued on (date) . I stated in the letter that my employer provided me with the Orca card. This is a yearly pass that was in effect from 8/2008 - 8/2011. The court granted (#) hearings.
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend court on those dates, as a company merger was unfolding. I realize that this was clearly my error. I felt that I could just pay the fine and keep my employment secure.
The Orca card is swiped while getting on and off the bus,but clearly some malfunction with the card happened on this particular occasion.
As there was no basis for the original summons, and the fines are paid in full, I humbly ask of Your Honor to consider having these collections deleted from my credit file. I did pay two tickets @ $140.00 dollars a piece in the hopes of rectifying this matter quickly. Please see enclosed documents to that effect.
I ask of Your Honor to please consider these extenuating( check spelling)circumstances by having the clerk submit a letter to the collection agency(name)(acct #) to remove these two listings from my credit file.
I am in the process of purchasing my first home and these marks greatly hinder my chances of homeownership. Any help you can extend to me would be most graciously appreciated.
Thanking Your Honor for your time and courtesies,
Sincerely,
Name
Thank you very much, I like the wording a lot better. I really appreciate it!
You're welcome by the way leave the capital letters as I wrote it they are correct. Just fill in the the blanks were notated. Please let me know what happens. Im pulling for you!!
@RobertEG wrote:Your matter does not relate to a pending matter before the court. As such, I see no authority on their part to enter into the issue of credit reporting or deletion of a collection. I dont believe they have any authority to instruct either the debt collector or CRA to remove accurate reporting.
If the debt has been paid, there is no longer an open collection, and thus nothing to "pull back from collection."
In my opinion, the matter should be addressed by a good-will request to the debt collector, not the court.
Robert, that is also my concern because the tickets have already been paid, I'm not sure if they can still pull them back. However I've had unpaid tickets pulled back from collections by the court in the past. The difference here is those had not been paid.
De keelley although its not a matter of legality the judge re your tickets can very well instruct his clerk to call the CA and request the items be removed.