HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-0800J. MICHAEL FARRELL, ESQ.
I.D. NO. 33803
718 Arch Street, Ste. 402S
Philadelphia, PA 19106
SUSAN MEASE
617 WAYNE DRIVE
MECHANICBURG, PA 17055
VS.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Bureau of Driver Licensing
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA 17123
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
DOB: 05/04/58
18120037 PA
PETITION TO APPEAL DRIVER LICENSE SUSPENSION
TO THE HONORABLE, THE JUDGES OF SAID COURT:
Petitioner, Susan Mease, by J. Michael Farrell, Esquire, his attorney, pursuant to 75
Pa.C.S.A. Sec. 1550, hereby appeals the proposed driver license suspension by the Department
of Transportation, Bureau of Driver Licensing, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, effective
February 28, 2003, and, in support thereof, states as follows:
1. On January 24, 2003, the Director of the Bureau of Driver Licensing, Department of
Transportation, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, sent official notice to Petitioner that effective
February 28, 2003, his driving privileges would be suspended for One Year. See attached hereto
a copy of said official Notice as Exhibit "A".
2. The suspension of Petitioner's driver license is unsupported, either in fact or in law.
3. Additionally, the totality of circumstances both in mitigation and in extenuation
compel that this Court set aside any suspension of Petitioner's driver license.
4. Economic hardship along with all other extenuating circumstances and mitigating
factors compel setting aside the suspension order of Petitioner's driver license.
5. Although Susan Mease was convicted in Magisterial District 09-1-01 on January 13,
2003 of the offense of driving on a suspended license - DUI related, that conviction has been
appealed to the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County. See a copy of the Notice of
Appeal from Summary Criminal Conviction is attached hereto as Exhibit "B".
As a result of the filing of a Notice of Appeal, Susan Mease no longer has a conviction
o
of record.
7.
As a result of the appeal, the action of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
Department of Transportation is premature.
8. Absent a valid conviction for the offense cited, the Department of Transportation has
no authority to suspend the license of Susan Mease until and unless that conviction is affirmed by
the County of Cumberland on the de novo appeal.
Wherefore, Petitioner requests a hearing de novo forthwith and further requests that this
Court set aside the Suspension Order of her drivers license.
Respectfully submitted,
ICHAEL FARRELL
rney for Petitioner
Dated: 2/21/03
EXHIBIT A
*CoHHONMEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Bureau of Driver Licensing
HaS! Dates JANUARY 2~, 2003
SUSAN L MEAS£
617 WAYNE DRIVE
MECHANZCSgURG PA 1?DSS
WID t 030t76527522002 001
PROCESSING DATE 01/17/2003
DRIVER LZ£ENSE ~ 18120037
DATE OF BIRTH OS/Oq/1q58
This is an O~fiolal Notioe of tho Suseension of your Driving
Privilege as authorized by Section 15i$ Of the Pennsylvania
Vehicle Code. As a result of your 01/15/2005 conviction of
violating Section 16~$B of the Vehicle Code DRVNG UNDR
ALCHOL REL SUS on
· Your driving ;rivilege is SUSPENDED ~or · period
YEAR(S) effective 02/28/2003 at 12:01 a.m.
Before PennDOT can restore your driving ~rivilege, you must
follow the instructions in this letter for COMPLYIN6
THIS SUSPENSION, PAYING THE RESTORATION FEE and pROVIDING
PROOF OF INSURANCE. YOU Should fo~lou ALL instructions very
oarsfu$lY, Even if you have served all the time on the
sus~ens~on/revooetion~ ~e cannot restore your driving
~riviZege until all the requirements ere satisfied.
~ONPLYING N;TH THIS SUSPENSIOH
You must return all current Pannsvlvania driverbs licenses~
cards) in your possession on or"before 02/28/2005. You may
surrender these items before, 02/28/2005, for earlier
credit; houever, you say not drive after these items are
surrendered.
YOU MAY NOT RETAIN YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR IDENTIFICATION
PURPOSES. However~ you may apply for and obtain a photo
identification card at any Driver License Center for a cost
of $10.00. You must present t~o (2) forms of ore,er
identification (e.g., birth certificate, valid U.S.
oassvort, marriage certificate~ etc.) in order to obtain
your photo identification card.
You ~ not reoelve credit to~&~d serving any suspension
untiZ ~e receive your ~icense(s). Complete the
steps to ecknuvledge th~s suspension.
05017~527522002
all current Pennsylvania driver's licenses,
~ not have an~ OT ~ca~
~- ed letter stating ¥o. are a.are, ot th~
,,u ..... privilege. You must specify ~, ~M,
of your driving driver's
letter why you are unable to return your
license. Remember: You may not retain your driver's
license for identification purposes. Please send these
items to: ................. . .............................................
..... - ................. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Bureau of Driver Licensing
P.O. Box 68695
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8695
2. Upon receipt, review and acceptance of your Pennsylvania
driver's license(s), learner's permit(s), and/or a sworn
notarized letter, PennDOT will send you a receipt
confirming the date that credit began. If you do not
receive a receipt from us within $ weeks, please contact
our office. Otherwise, you wtll not be given credit
toward serving this suspension. PennDOT phone numbers
are listed at the end of this letter.
$. If you do not return all current driver license
products, we must refer this matter to the Pennsylvania
State Police for prosecution under SECTION
of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code,
PAYING THE RESTORATION FEE
Y-~u must pay a restoration fee to PennDOT to be restored
from
pay your restoration fee, complete the following steps:
1. Return the enclosed Application for Restoration. The
amount due is listed on th~ application.
2. Hrite your driver's license number (listed on the first
page) on the check or money order to ensure proper
credit.
Follo~ the payment and mailing instructions on the back
of the application.
02/20/200~ 12~30 7176Bll?B6 ~ICH~R~ GREE~BERG P~G~ 0~
030176527522002
PROVIDING PROOF OF IHSURANCE
Within the last $0 deys of your suspension/revocation, ~e
will send you a letter asking that you provide proof of
insurance at that time. This letter will list acceptable
documents and ~hat will be needed if you do not own a vehicle
registered in Pennsylvan/a.
ZmDortant: Please make sure that PennDOT is notified if you
move from your current address. You may notify PennDOT of ...................
ypu~. addre_sp..__~c~ap_E~ by cal~ng en~. af t__b~ phone _~.umbers
l~sted at the end of th~s lette~. ._ .
You have the right to appeal this action to the Court of
Common Pleas (C1vil D/vis/on) ~ithin $0 days of the
date, JANUARY 2~, 2005, af this letter. 1~ you ~11e en
mppeal 2n the county Court, the court w111 give yo~
time-stamped certt~led coPY o~ the appeaZ. In order for
your appeal to be v&lid, you must send this time-stamped
certified coPY of the appeal by certified mail to:
Pennsylvania Deoartment of Transoartat/on
Office of Chief Counsel
Third Floor, R/verfront Office Center
Harrisburg, PA
Remember, this is an OFFZCZA~ HOTZCE OF SUSPEHSZON. You
must return all current Pennsylvania driver license ~roducts
to PennDOT by O2/28/2O05.
Sincerely,
Rebecca L. Bickley, Director
Bureau of Driver Licensing
SEND FEE/LICENSE/DL-I&LC/TO:
Department of Transportation
Bureau of Driver L/censing
P.O. Box &869~
Harrisburg, PA 1710&-B&93
INFORHATION (7:00 AH TO 9~00 PN)
IN STATE 1-800-952-q&00
OUT-OF-STATE 717-$91-&190
TDD [H STATE 1-800-22B-0&7&
TDD OUT-OF-STATE 717-391-&191
EXHIBIT B
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Notice of Appeal from Summary Criminal Conviction
Name and Address of Defendant:
Signature', : ~ ,' -~:
Name and Address of District Justice:
Magisterial District No. 0 )- ~ - ¢ ~
Name and mailing address of officer as shown on citation
or complaint ~r¢.7 .~!~;-~.~J.r, :)1323
17011
If sentence includes fine and costs, amount of which paid:
$
Typeor amount of bail furnished to District Justice, if any:
Name and Address of Attorney: ..'
(signature)
(print name)
District Justice Docket No.
Citation No.
A770!031-3
(address)
Phila~lmlph£a, ?,X Zip 19105
Phd~e:' (215) 935-'l-!O-SAtty:LD.#- ..... 33303-
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT:
You will be notified of court hearing date by the DistriCt Attorney.
If your appeal is from a motor vehicle conviction that will result in your driver's license being suspended, you
may have the Clerk of Courts certify the Bureau of Driver Licensing copy of the appeal for your use in requesting
a delay in that suspension.
I hereby'certify that an appeal had been filed in the above captioned matter.
WHITE - Clerk of Courts GREEN - Affiant's CoDy
YELLOW - District lustice
CLERK OF COURTS
PINK - District Attorney GOLD - Defendant
RECEIPT FOR SUMMARY APPEALS
Cumberland County - Clerk of Courts Receipt Date
1 Courthouse Square
Receipt Time
Carlisle, Pa I7013 Receipt No.
1/27/2003
13:38:47
1162108
MEASE SUSAN
617 WAYNE DRIVE
MECHANICSBURG, PA 17055
Case Number 2003-00210
Remarks S~Y APPEAL - FARRELL
CB
Total Paid $*******35.00 PYMT/CHECK
No. 14535
Transaction Description
SUM. APPEAL FEE
AUTOMATION FEE
Payment
30.00
5.00
VERIFICATION
Susan Mease, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the
Appellant in the above entitled matter, that he is authorized by law to make this Verification and
that the facts set forth in the foregoing pleading are true and correct to the best of his knowledge,
information and belief.
This statement is made subject to penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. Section 4904 relating to
unsworn falsification to authorities.
Susan Mease
Dated: 2/21/03
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, J. Michael Farrell, Esquire, hereby certify that on this 21st day of February, 2003,
a true and correct copy of the foregoing Petition to Appeal Driver License Suspension has been
served upon the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Driver Licensing, Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, by depositing same in the U.S. Mail, postage pre-paid, certified, return receipt
requested, addressed as follows:
Pennsylvania Dept. Of Transportation
Office of Chief Counsel
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Room 103
Transportation and Safety Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
J/~IICH~EL F'A~L '
/Attorney for Petitioner
J. MICHAEL FARRELL, ESQ.
I.D. NO. 33803
718 Arch Street, Ste. 402S
Philadelphia, PA 19106
SUSAN MEASE
617 WAYNE DRIVE
MECHANICBURG, PA 17055
VS.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Bureau of Driver Licensing
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA 17123
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
DOB: 05/04/58
18120037 PA
so. oa- ooc
FEB 2 7 2003
RULE TO SHOW CAUSE
AND NOW, this /~'6~j day of ~'~-~ ,2003, upon
consideration of the attached an Amended Petition to Appeal Driver License Suspension, a rule is
granted and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation, Bureau of
Driver Licensing is directed to show cause why the relief requested herein should not be granted.
RULE RETURNABLE this c~g~ Day of ~ ,2003, at
Courtroom z// , Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pa, at //'/~-Td~ - o'clock.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND DECREED that the filing of this Petition shall and
does operate as a supersedeas to the suspension of the driver's license of Susan Mease, 18120037
PA, that no suspension, cancellation or revocation shall be imposed upon Susan Mease until final
determination of this matter.
Jo
SUSAN MEASE. Appellant
VS.
DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION,
BUREAU OF DRIVER
LICENSING,
Appellee
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
03-800 CIVIL
LICENSE SUSPENSION APPEAL
ORDER
AND NOW, this ,~'q* day of May, 2003, hearing in the above captioned matter set
for May 28, 2003, is continued to Friday, August 29, 2003, at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom Number 4,
Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, PA
BY THE COURT,
~J Michael Farrell, Esquire
For the Appellant
~/~eorge Kabusk, Esquire
For PennDOT
:rlm
,eSS, J.
J. MICHAEL FARRELL, ESQUIRE
ATTY. I.D. NO. 33803
718 ARCH STREET
SUITE 402S
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106
(215) 925-1105
ATTORNEY FOR SUSAN MEASE
SUSAN MEASE :
:
V. :
:
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, :
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION :
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
No. 03-800 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
PRAECIPE TO WITHDRAW DRIVER LICENSE SUSPENSION APPEAL
TO: CLERK OF COURTS
Kindly withdraw the driver license suspension appeal in the above captioned matter.
J/MICHAEL FARREI~L, ESQ.
J~ttomey for Susan Mease
Dated: 8/28/03
J. MICHAEL FARRELL, ESQUIRE
ATTY. I.D. NO. 33803
718 ARCH STREET
SUITE 402S
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106
(215) 925-1105
ATTORNEY FOR SUSAN MEASE
SUSAN MEASE :
_.
V. :
_.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, :
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION :
:
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
No. 03-800 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
1. I hereby certify that on August 28, 2003, a copy of the Praecipe to Withdraw
Driver License Suspension Appeal was served via facsimile and First Class Mail, pre-paid
postage to:
George Kabusk, Esquire
Office of Chief Counsel
1101 South Front Street
Riverfront Office Center
Harrisburg, PA 17104
2. I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that if any
of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment.
~. MICHAEL FARRELL, ESQ.
Date: 8/28/03