Corpsmember Statement 1: Medical Case Analysis
Corpsmember Statements re SB 881 and 882
Humberto - 23
While waiting for a bus in 2014, 2 undercover/plainclothes police officers approached Humberto and accused him of selling drugs. After some discussion they decided he was not selling drugs but instead littering. The officers then gave Humberto the choice of receiving a ticket or being brought down to the police station, he chose the ticket. In protest, Humberto didn’t pay his fine nor did he appear in court. This resulted in a failure to appear charge which caused a littering ticket to become a $2,600.00 fine. After receiving correspondence informing him of his penalty, Humberto still did not go to court because he felt it would be useless since he did not have the $2,600.00.
A few months later, Humberto joined the LA Conservation Corps and learned that if he got his driver’s …show more content…
license there would be many opportunities for him within the Corps. He went to the DMV to get his drivers permit, at which time he learned his driver’s license was “suspended” even though he never had a driver’s license. The unpaid ticket resulted in his license being pre-emptively suspended. At this time he was enrolled in a legal workshop being conducted at the Corps. He learned he could plead no contest and possibly have the fine reduced. He did this and the fine was reduced, however it was still extremely high and there was a limited time to pay it.
Humberto was given the opportunity to perform community service in lieu of paying the fine. However, the process is going very slowly. Even though the community service was completed several months ago, the records have not been transferred to the Court or DMV. Humberto is still waiting final adjudication so he can receive his driver’s license.
The punishment doesn’t fit the crime. It is unreasonable that a littering has ticket turned into a $2,600.00 fine and pre-emptively effects his future income. The denial of the driver’s license has caused Humberto to miss out on job opportunities, including promotions within the Corps that require a driver’s license and a wonderful internship with the City of LA that also requires a driver’s license. If he received his driver license he may have been able to gain employment therefore allowing him the ability to pay his fine.
Emmanuel – 19
In 2010 Emmanuel was approximately 14 years of age when he rode the Metro to visit his then girlfriend who resided in Southgate. Emmanuel never purchased a pass therefore he received a fare evasion ticket when the officer on duty requested to see his ticket. Emmanuel states he never received any type of notification regarding his ticket.
When Emmanuel attempted to secure a driver’s license in 2014 he was told by DMV that his license was suspended due to an outstanding ticket. Emmanuel did not have a driver’s license at this time and was confused as to how it could be “suspended”. Initially, Emmanuel was not sure as to which ticket they were referring, he had forgotten about the fare evasion issue. He eventually went to the court house to attempt to rectify the situation. When he arrived the clerks were not able to locate any record of the ticket. It appears that since the offense occurred when Emmanuel was a minor the records have been sealed. Emmanuel has to have his records unsealed so he can determine the amount of the fine and eventually pay it.
Not only is Emmanuel being punished for something that occurred while he was a minor, he also can’t fix it because it occurred when he was a minor. This effects Emmanuel in two ways. Firstly, Emmanuel needs his license for personal reasons. He lives with his father who is suffering from an illness that is causing him to lose his sight. Emmanuel needs to be able to drive his father to and from work and also pick up his prescriptions.
The second issue for Emmanuel is financial.
Emmanuel has missed employment opportunities due to his inability to drive. The Corps held a position for Emmanuel for several weeks while he attempted to get a driver’s license. When he realized he would not be able to, he was terribly embarrassed when he had to explain to his supervisor the circumstances as to why he did not receive his driver’s license. He was concerned that the supervisor would think he was lying and thereby jeopardize his position with the Corps. Additionally, he missed an opportunity with the City of LA for an internship that could possibly lead to future employment opportunities with the city.
Riding the bus is also a challenge for Emmanuel. He has to ride several buses to get to and from work and school. While waiting for one of the transfer buses in a dangerous neighborhood, he was robbed and his phone stolen. This is also the stop where his girlfriend must also catch the connecting bus to visit him and he worries about her waiting at that stop. He and his girlfriend do not see each other to often because he is concerned for her safety and would prefer to pick her
up.
Emmanuel understands that it was his responsibility to have handled this situation better and since entering the Corps he has been an exemplary participant. He has been enrolled in the YouthBuild program which is a program that only enrolls select participants.
Mark – 19
Last year Mark received a ticket for underage drinking. He and his friends were at the beach and they were in possession of alcohol. They all received tickets and were expected to appear in court. Mark claims he was not sure about the date and missed his court appearance. He was given an extension until this summer. Mark currently has a driver’s permit and it is set to expire before the next court date. When this occurs he won’t be able to renew or receive his driver’s license. If Mark is not allowed to renew his permit and receive his license it will hinder future opportunities for him financially and personally. He now regrets not going to court and taking care of this issue immediately.
Since he’s been at the Corps, he has participated in the legal workshop and has learned how to work within the legal system. He now understands his Miranda Rights, issues surrounding search and seizures, and his responsibility to comply with legal requests. Mark is also enrolled in the YouthBuild Program at the Corps and this program only enrolls select participants.
Humberto - 23
While waiting for a bus in 2014, 2 undercover/plainclothes police officers approached Humberto and accused him of selling drugs. After some discussion they decided he was not selling drugs but instead littering. The officers then gave Humberto the choice of receiving a ticket or being brought down to the police station, he chose the ticket. In protest, Humberto didn’t pay his fine nor did he appear in court. This resulted in a failure to appear charge which caused a littering ticket to become a $2,600.00 fine. After receiving correspondence informing him of his penalty, Humberto still did not go to court because he felt it would be useless since he did not have the $2,600.00.
A few months later, Humberto joined the LA Conservation Corps and learned that if he got his driver’s …show more content…
license there would be many opportunities for him within the Corps. He went to the DMV to get his drivers permit, at which time he learned his driver’s license was “suspended” even though he never had a driver’s license. The unpaid ticket resulted in his license being pre-emptively suspended. At this time he was enrolled in a legal workshop being conducted at the Corps. He learned he could plead no contest and possibly have the fine reduced. He did this and the fine was reduced, however it was still extremely high and there was a limited time to pay it.
Humberto was given the opportunity to perform community service in lieu of paying the fine. However, the process is going very slowly. Even though the community service was completed several months ago, the records have not been transferred to the Court or DMV. Humberto is still waiting final adjudication so he can receive his driver’s license.
The punishment doesn’t fit the crime. It is unreasonable that a littering has ticket turned into a $2,600.00 fine and pre-emptively effects his future income. The denial of the driver’s license has caused Humberto to miss out on job opportunities, including promotions within the Corps that require a driver’s license and a wonderful internship with the City of LA that also requires a driver’s license. If he received his driver license he may have been able to gain employment therefore allowing him the ability to pay his fine.
Emmanuel – 19
In 2010 Emmanuel was approximately 14 years of age when he rode the Metro to visit his then girlfriend who resided in Southgate. Emmanuel never purchased a pass therefore he received a fare evasion ticket when the officer on duty requested to see his ticket. Emmanuel states he never received any type of notification regarding his ticket.
When Emmanuel attempted to secure a driver’s license in 2014 he was told by DMV that his license was suspended due to an outstanding ticket. Emmanuel did not have a driver’s license at this time and was confused as to how it could be “suspended”. Initially, Emmanuel was not sure as to which ticket they were referring, he had forgotten about the fare evasion issue. He eventually went to the court house to attempt to rectify the situation. When he arrived the clerks were not able to locate any record of the ticket. It appears that since the offense occurred when Emmanuel was a minor the records have been sealed. Emmanuel has to have his records unsealed so he can determine the amount of the fine and eventually pay it.
Not only is Emmanuel being punished for something that occurred while he was a minor, he also can’t fix it because it occurred when he was a minor. This effects Emmanuel in two ways. Firstly, Emmanuel needs his license for personal reasons. He lives with his father who is suffering from an illness that is causing him to lose his sight. Emmanuel needs to be able to drive his father to and from work and also pick up his prescriptions.
The second issue for Emmanuel is financial.
Emmanuel has missed employment opportunities due to his inability to drive. The Corps held a position for Emmanuel for several weeks while he attempted to get a driver’s license. When he realized he would not be able to, he was terribly embarrassed when he had to explain to his supervisor the circumstances as to why he did not receive his driver’s license. He was concerned that the supervisor would think he was lying and thereby jeopardize his position with the Corps. Additionally, he missed an opportunity with the City of LA for an internship that could possibly lead to future employment opportunities with the city.
Riding the bus is also a challenge for Emmanuel. He has to ride several buses to get to and from work and school. While waiting for one of the transfer buses in a dangerous neighborhood, he was robbed and his phone stolen. This is also the stop where his girlfriend must also catch the connecting bus to visit him and he worries about her waiting at that stop. He and his girlfriend do not see each other to often because he is concerned for her safety and would prefer to pick her
up.
Emmanuel understands that it was his responsibility to have handled this situation better and since entering the Corps he has been an exemplary participant. He has been enrolled in the YouthBuild program which is a program that only enrolls select participants.
Mark – 19
Last year Mark received a ticket for underage drinking. He and his friends were at the beach and they were in possession of alcohol. They all received tickets and were expected to appear in court. Mark claims he was not sure about the date and missed his court appearance. He was given an extension until this summer. Mark currently has a driver’s permit and it is set to expire before the next court date. When this occurs he won’t be able to renew or receive his driver’s license. If Mark is not allowed to renew his permit and receive his license it will hinder future opportunities for him financially and personally. He now regrets not going to court and taking care of this issue immediately.
Since he’s been at the Corps, he has participated in the legal workshop and has learned how to work within the legal system. He now understands his Miranda Rights, issues surrounding search and seizures, and his responsibility to comply with legal requests. Mark is also enrolled in the YouthBuild Program at the Corps and this program only enrolls select participants.