Your Papers, Comrade, For Your Safety - Yeah, Right

While talking with a close friend, who had been ticketed back in December, I found out I was unaware of just how deep the state wants to dig into your pocket.  The individual, who had been pulled over for speeding, 5 miles per hour over the limit in a 55 MPH zone, sheesh, could not locate the most recent proof of insurance document that is normally in the glove box.  The person had multiple copies of expired proofs of insurance, the most recent had expired two days prior to the stop, but not the current proof of insurance.

The individual was ticketed; a warning ticket for the 5 miles per hour over the limit, and for not having a valid proof of insurance in the vehicle.  No problem, right?  Go home, locate the most current proof of insurance and fax it to the court.  All taken care of in less than 24 hours.  No harm, no foul.  The court accepts the document and there are no fines assessed.  Whew.  Wrong.

This week, a letter arrives in the individual’s mailbox.  From the state.  It informs the individual that because the proof of insurance was not in the vehicle, even though the vehicle was insured, the individual must remit to the state of Michigan a $150.00 “driver responsibilty fee,” and must also pay the same $150.00 fee next year.  So, because this individual did not have the current proof of insurance document in the vehicle, even though the vehicle was insured, a total fine of $300.00 dollars has been charged.  Asinine.

The fine is assessed per MCL 257.732a. Specifically, the applicable portion reads,

"(iv) Section 3101 or 3103 of the insurance code of 1956, 1956 PA 218, MCL 500.3101 and 500.3103."
"(c) Upon posting of an abstract that an individual has been found guilty for a violation listed in this subdivision, the secretary of state shall assess a $150.00 driver responsibility fee each year for 2 consecutive years for any of the following offenses:"

That’s not as bad as the Nevada Supreme Court ruling that comrade citizens must show their papers on demand, even if they are not doing anything wrong.

"By a 4-3 vote, the Nevada Supreme Court rejected Mr. Hiibel’s appeal, ruling any privacy right guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is “outweighed by the benefits to officers and community safety” by allowing police to force people to provide ID, anywhere."

Link to Nevada asininity via somena’s Journal.

Posted by on 04/02 at 03:40 PM

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