A decade-long breakdown in Allegheny County’s Department of Court Records happened. Over 1,000 local residents are now receiving notices that their licenses will be suspended years after their court cases ended — in some cases, as long as 12 years ago. Here’s why this is a big deal, and what people can do to preserve their licenses.
As an attorney, I’ve represented a lot of clients who lost their licenses. Many lose it not because of any public safety risk, but because of poverty (they can’t afford to pay their court fees). A license suspension is one of the harshest punishments in our legal system. In a large area like Allegheny County, public transportation often isn’t an option for getting to work, medical appointments or even the grocery store. And license suspensions impact not just the affected drivers, but also their children and families.
This batch of license suspensions is coming years after the affected drivers’ cases concluded. People impacted by this bureaucratic error worked hard over the past decade to improve their lives, such as the woman whose story was reported in the media who became a nurse and must travel for work. Now she, and others like her, are at risk of having their lives upended for no good reason.
Those impacted by the Court Records’ breakdown will receive a letter from PennDOT informing them of the suspension. Please do not ignore that letter. You have the right to file an appeal within 30 days. If you have questions about the appeal process, please check this fact sheet.
Rob Perkins
Carnegie
The writer is executive director of the Allegheny Lawyers Initiative for Justice.