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I was in active duty military from 2000-2011. I was considered a Texas resident most of my career and certainly in the last 5 years.In 2008 I was briefly stationed in Virginia for 10 months. After that we got orders to live in Amman, Jordan in the Middle east for the next 2 years.When I left active service in 2011 I moved to Pittsburg, Pa. When I went down to get a PA license I was told that the state of Virginia had suspended my license while I was in the middle east. Their reason was although I sent them a take off the road form for my little 50 cc scooter that i left at my dad’s while going overseas I didn't let their insurance department know.At that time I was told I could pay a fine 500+and it would be taken care of or I could do the following.1. I was told to send a copy of my orders to overseas and it would be taken care of. 2. Did that, went back to DMV and still suspended. 3. Called again and was told orders and a letter from my commanding officer and it would be done. (keep in mind I was out of the military)4. Third time to the DMV I was told that orders, letter from C/O, and a personal statement affirming that I had taken the vehicle off the road while overseas and it would be taken care of. On the forth visit to the DMV I had to threaten to contact legal representation before they took care of it.This whole thing took over 3 months when I got back. Couldn't drive anywhere. Had to have my wife drive me to interviews.In March of this year 2012 I get a letter from Virginia stating that I owe taxes totaling over $1800. I sent them orders as requested. It was supposed to be taken care of.I recently received a Debt Collection letter from DCS for the amount of 1800+ to be paid. It has affected my credit score, caused undo stress while I’m transitioning out of the military and now threatens to not allow us to buy a house with a good rate via credit score.I am so tired of Virginia. I only lived there 10 months. I don't know what to do. They are screwing up our lives.Please help.R/Matthew Poe XXX@XXXXXX.XXX
Optional Information: Country relating to Question: United States State (if USA): Pennsylvania Already Tried: I explained all in question.
Thank you for your question. I will do my best to assist you with your concerns. If you would like me to clarify my answer, I will be happy to do so.To answer your question directly, the next step at this point is to contact DCS and request that they provide you with a formal accounting of where and how the debt is coming from, with an attachment to the form of the past order stating that the past debts and the DMV hold are removed. That is also what you should do when you contact the big 3 credit bureaus and where you place the debt on dispute--each of the credit bureaus permit you to dispute, and to do so inform them by scanning the order and providing it to them when you file for your order. The state would have 30 days to respond, and if they fail to do so, the credit bureaus will remove the bad debt from your record.Good luck
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Dimitry,
I feel that I am having to hold the bag on all these issues Virginia is bringing down on me. I am tired of Virginia's ability to basically extort money from me and my family. They are not held accountable for any actions that I feel are not justified.
I would like to file a civil suit as a matter of principle. Why do I have to do all the work to straighten out their mistakes? Is that possible? What are the chances of compensating me for my time and trouble?
R/
Matthew Poe
Thank you for your follow-up, Matthew.I am afraid I going to have to provide you with unwelcome news. In this situation the state would have 'sovereign immunity', meaning that you would not be able to file suit civilly against them. This is not a Civil Rights violation, and even if it were, in this particular situation the state cannot be sued unless they consent to being sued. They would argue that this is a bureaucratic misunderstanding and you do not have actual injuries (the courts do not see loss of credit as an injury because it is merely a potential loss which is hard to calculate as to what that loss would be). I feel your frustration, especially since the DMV is generally one of the most mismanaged entities, but I do not see this as a valid suit.I am sorry.Dimitry Esquire41092.936678125
Last question.
Do you know of any Veterans support groups that could help me with this?
Thank you for your answer's. I will never step foot in the state of Virginia again if I can ever help it.
You have been very informative
Thank you for your follow-up, Matthew, and I appreciate your words.As an aside, G_d bless you for your sacrifice. I am sorry that you are being treated so shabbily because you deserve better.Hmm, I am unaware of any veterans groups that can help, but you may want to search locally for attorneys who provide military discounts (I tend to do that in my practice, as do quite a few others I keep in contact with). But beyond that I do not know of anyone who can specifically help out with DMV concerns. At least with contesting the information, you will be able to do that on your own and without attorney assistance.Good luck.Dimitry Esquire41092.945484919
Experience: JA Mentor, multiple jurisdictions, specialize in business/contract disputes, estate creation & admin