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HomeMy WebLinkAbout95-03662 -0 a cj . - 3 . 7' cf u o . f t L3 l(J ~ ...j (Y) LJ: "": f: ' "". ..' , ~ ~r ~lr~l','\/ . "" ~ .. .. i'-'.;' ; . ' ~il. ~;~~.o:;", 1'1. 0 ~:':l-~e- l~l -i\ \i~ ~a~~:t ~ ! ,~"~t' tl , _,' ~ Q .~,"'.i:'..', ~. "(" .. ~ I, .. 1,;;j:;f,~;~, :~t{,:?~~'H1:~;1(?::;~;; ,tV' " . BLN LAW OPPICBS: .,,""~ :l\''; , 'wIiT'Po"PHTmwrr<;~rf:_-':':,::;ff:~\::~#~~/}>h~' '_ 'f ; CARLl8L1l, PA 17013 "v.: JUl;' 1 2 1 9 :f{~~Jt~~~'/'::)';C::",:;~;;'~':;i::~t~. ... ~ . . . , .;., .~ "-'--.-. . --.- '--,0' KEVIN L. WICKARD Appellant APPEAL FROM VEHICLE REGISTRATON SUSPENSION DBPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, Appellee IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. 3Uw~ 95- CIVIL TERM ORDBR OF COURT AND NOW, this/1 tA day Of___~~ ,1995, upon presentation and consideration of the within Petition For Appeal From Vehicle Registration Suspension, a hearing is set for the .,r,-tJ,( day of r1~ 1/ Il.l(fl . , 1995 at 'j.;(''-,.m. in Courtroom NO.-!i. of the Cumberland County Courthouse. FURTHER, the vehicle registration suspension in this case is stayed pending this appeal hearing. BY THE COURT, ,AIL J. cc. Gregory Barton Abeln, Esquire Attorney for Appellant Department of Transportation Bureau of Driver Licensing ','r'. ,,';, I'. '.. 'i, ""toJl: I!"":. I'" f'.fl:"i'l i;' " ~:',.. .....l \0 .f .",,, :~ ,j -i '.. t': ',!_1 ....;\ i','-1' 'I-r ; . ~ " ~I_' f ';. :j. :/, I ~!! : I:',' :~;.I,'liJt_. :1' ,';' L t,Lt ,'1," '~'. !: i::. ~ . ,~. " 'I ':'J "..1 :. " ','f '!.:" '.j '.': ! ~ ;. ~ ,', . r.! Ji'l':....! ,l,f'l~" ::-:1'.~L';!': ~l(': J.... t: "" .~ t ..: ~" ',';:' ,I" .,1. " ,! :<(0:1 ".->1:; ..I ~ ':; :)lJ' i~'IIl~Ll":'t.1jlif_I'_' ~.d,: j^4' ',1.' -',.,) " rl'. ;.: i:~ I 110.'. ._' ._iPrf' '><I ..;.~, ;If'.'. ..JfiJ '<-id r:i' l.~ .1'1:.11/' ;,.',- i:l:' r' I ~_ :--'i:';-\'] f-: ',:.t..a: ': . .~,.; ~ I . '. ,'i"" .,.j t), ~I!j' . I." :i ~'I 561 k~ L<:, 9 IZ lr.r' 'I ,,',I .v' . {"llC::'" J. ,., '-' J,'i".J r ':~;.' -t . ,,~ " , F=- I , , . DBPARTMBNT or TRANSPORTATION COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. Appellee IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS or CUMBBRLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA v. 31(0:). 95- CIVIL TRRM APPBAL FROM VBHICLE RRGISTRATON SUSPBNSION KEVIN L. WICKARD Appellant APPBAL FROM VBHICLB lUIGISTRATION SUSPBNSION AND NOW. comes Appellant, Kev1n L. W1ckard. by and throu~h h1s counsel. Gre~ory Barton Abeln, Bsqu1re, and f11es the fo110w1n~ PeUt10n, 1. Appellant 1s Kev1n L. W1ckard, and adult 1nd1v1dual currently res1d1n~ at 145 Mulberry Avenue. Car11s1e, Pa, 17013. 2. On June 11, 1995 Pennsy1van1a Department of Transportat1on sent to Appellant a Not1ce of Veh1cle Re~1strat1on Suspens10n, a copy of wh1ch 1s attached hereto and 1ncorporated here1n by reference as Exh1b1t A. 3. Appellant has a val1d veh1cle re~1strat10n plate and card 1n h1s possess1on. 4. On or about Febraury 20, 1995, Pennsylvan1a Depat"tment of Transportat1on was not1f1ed that Appellant's 1nsurance po11cy from the F1a~Bh1p C1ty Insurance Company had lapsed. 5. The Fla~sh1p C1ty Insurance Company never not1f1ed the Appellant of the lapse of coverage. ~. 6. Appellant bel1eved in good fai th that his insurance pol1cy was still in effect, and that this was a mistake by the insurance company. 7. Upon notification, Appellant promptly reinsured his vehicle and is currently in good standing with his insurance company. WHBRBFORB, Appellant requests this Honorable Court to set a time for a hearing on the priority of Appe1lant.s Vehicle Registration Suspension and stay the imposition of this suspension pending the result of said hearing. Date 1 (-L( '1 c:;- Respectfully submitted, By.A;g~(([~ Gregory Barton Abeln ID . 35,960 Attorney for Appellant 22 West Pomfret Street Carlisle, PA 17013 717/ 245-2S51 . 2 , ,.- 1-. COl\lMON\VI.:,\I:rn (II' I'.:NNSYI.V ANIA DEPAR'I'MENT (II' TRANSI'ORTATlON BUREAU (II' MOTOR Vlo:IIICI.ES 1'0 IIUX 8674 IIAIUUSlIlJRG, I'A 171116 ("''''CIAI. NOTICE MAli. DATE: 116/11/95 KEVIN L WICKARD 145 MULBERRV AVE CARLISLE, PA 17013 Informallon (7:00 AM 10 6:30 I'M) I'ittshllr\:h Area 41:z.565-56711 I'hlladell'bla Area 115-6911-811111 lIarrlslllJr\: Area 717.787.3130 Toll .'rce 111111.931.46011 TDI) 800-1:zs.0676 De:lr Molorlsl: You were recenlly requesled hylhliDureau of Motnr Vehldes 10 Ilrovldeproof ofnnanclal r"'l'onslblllly (Insurance) covering Ihe operallon of Ihe followln\: vehlde: MAKE: CIIEVROJ.ET, DODYTYPE: TRUCK, VIN NO: CSI41D603lI67,'nn.E: 111363113, TAG NO:, YV67C11I1I, n,lslnformallon wa.. requesled lI5 a r&'Sult of Ihls Bureau helng nolllled by FLAGSJIIP CITY INSURANCE COMPANYlhallbe Insllrance polley covering Ihe vehlde wa.. lennlnaled on 01/10/95. Either no r&'sllIlnse wns received or Ibe infom.allon you provided ImUealed a lapse of coverage whleh was nol permitled under 5.'ellon 1786 of Ibe Veblde Code.. ' As a result, Ihe vehlde re\:lslrallonl'rlvllege will h"lIllsl'ellded for Ihree monlhs e1Tedlve 117/16/95 a( 11:111 A.M, as aulhorlzed hy Secllon 17116 (D) of Ihe Vehicle end.,. Ven. will he re'lulre,llc> relurn YC>lIr eurrenl reglslrallolll'lale anll eant Credllloward serving Ihe slIsl'enslon will nol hqllo untlllbe reglslrallon I'lale Is received hy Ibe Jlureau, Additionally, YOII will he required 10 pay a restoratloll f.", In Ihe amollnl of 550,1111, 10 Ihe J)eparlmenllll ael'Ordance witb Seellon 1960 of Ibe Vehicle C....e. Please see the ellclilSe,l al'l>!leallon for ",hllllonal restorallon fee Infonnallon, We bave endosed a self.addr.....e,1 envelope for IIse wben ,'Orr"'IIIlII.llng and a mallln\: lahello assisl with Ihe relllrn of your reglslrallon I'lale and card. Vou have Ihe rlghllo al'l'callhls slIspenslon lolh" C:ourlof Common Picas of Ihe counly of YOllr r",ldence witbln Ihlrly (30) .lays nf the dale of Ihls nollce. Semlill\: a copy 10 Ibis Delr-trtm.'nl of a Ilmely. liIed appeal will slay Ibe Deparlmenl's aellon pending a final declsioll hy II", courl. The copy lIIusl he SCIII by eerlllled mall 10: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, ROOM 11I3,IIARRISJlllRG, PA 17113. By Onler of ~,~~ ~ wt1t; Aellng Dlreclor Bllreau of Molor Vehicles Deparlmenl of Transporlallon 950604 01111611 9515599991111113830111 \'A" .' VBRIP'ICATION I verify that the statements made in the fore~oin~ document are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I understand that false statements are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.A. .4904, re1at1n~ to Unsworn Falsifications to Authorities. Date. ('7IG/9~ / I~/ /(~~ Kevin L. Wickard DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, . Appellee IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. 95- CIVIL TBRM KEVIN L. WICKARD Appellant APPBAL FROM VEHICLE REGISTRATON SUSPENSION CBRTIFICATB OF SBRVICB I hereby certify that I have this date, served the foregoing Notice of Appeal, by depositing a true and exact copy of the same in the United States mail, certified, postage pre-paid, return receipt requested, addressed to the following. DEPARTMBNT OF TRANSPORTATION BURBAU OF DRIVBR LICBNSING Room 103 Transportation and Safety Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 Respectfully submitted, Date -7bJctS- ABBLN LAW 0 PlCES BY\., ~( 0, ) {(cUr Jill A. Gillette Legal Assistant 22 West Pomfret Street Carlisle, PA 17013 7171 245-2S51 -.-' 0, I \ ""1. . ..... t ,ii',1 '1'\' ", . ,I,..... ';111 ~:. 1 !( ; I :\.~j;.. '. :1"; ~r.i".,:,'\~:;;:jI.":l-:'. : '1,. ", :',J(;": ~ 1-.' .! .{" ,;i.}1:I.r , ~ l' . '. ~ \. .~, :: :'! I"': 1 \': ,]Ht'.' ~:: !;" -t ~.lr.ll .:".J- I'~' ..i 1l1'/3:i ,.. * :; :,1.,1..1..... ~ ~ ~ ..~ :,' : ~ '.1 >;! " ',";\.1 -1!'!. ~r.'['"utttr;; '..() ~..Tli]1~1rJ'n~""'j _.1" t:._ ," .1 I.. " ",,' ;'7 ,':. 'J.... '. L,_ . - ; .,~~t~~';. '.- ' L.. lEi' .!.i..'"t-~'P~j ':'''-;' ......~.j _' J .' !L..!l _'':,''1:.,;';;;:;t:,:..., .1CP "'.j'] J. 1 . r.', ' .'" .; ~' :. ".;~ I _! 1:.';"tZ:';.~-:" j!'.:":' ,I ..:...~'fi:JJ....O':J,iu ~!~l~~':':-..,'l 0,'':'' t.J'1 ""'" :JC: :1'11"~O,':.'; I{,. , ,- " . ...~ , J<J.h~ ~ ... ':~l'.~tn'~o:r' :~!.r ::!> t. 1 '.~L~~',1L~' ,.,... )!~'i .lrk~ ... : ') 1 . .! 1 ~~ 'i.. - ~ L': ~~; 1 ';. l r-:' i 1..: ,\~; ",;_ '~J :; ~:: <.0 <..n . I:~::- ,:,:,;,';11(,:: ....... ')'1'. " I';' ..,': f){:b (:(; 1- j.... .' j~ '...; ,; L " ~ ~ 1.: ..t. 0lJ::. U'l .0 8 . ~) F 8 0\ ~ C' 11. l/I""R.. JJ -C 1.. ~p -I 0 j .L. iF v.o .0 1..,..1 ~ - ,., &,'- . ~ ~. ,:':'.. .. ~ ~ . I . ,~ "j ~i . : I, .' ..., .... \. ;. - \"'. .. OS,2 13,891 ~......~ ~ ~.".....}J COMMONWEALTII (It. I'ENNSYI.VANIA IlEI'ARTMENT (W TRANSI.ORTA....ON O~'~'IC~: In' CI m:~' C()\lNS~:I. ROOM 103. TRANSPORTATION AND SAFt.1Y BUILDING HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA I 7 I 20 17171 787-2830 FAX' 17171 783-7g74 IN "lPLY AHIA fO October 4, 1995 The Honorable Kevin A. Hess Cumberland County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square ClU'lisle, PA 17013 RE: Commw. or Pa.. DOT v, Kevin Wickard. 95-3662 Civil Dear Judge Hess: Plcnse accept this leller as lite Department of Transportation's pre-hearing memoranda. The mOiler at issue is a \'ehicle registration suspension pursuant to Scetion 1786 of the Vehicle Code. 8y official notice dated and mailed June II, 1995, the Department notified Kevin L. WickllJ'd lItatllte registration privilege for a Chevrolet truck, VIN number CS 14 I 8603067, title number 22136303, tag number YV67088, would be suspended for three months elTective July 16, 1995. The notice stated that lite Department previously requested Mr. Wickard to provide proof of financial responsibility because the Flagship City Insurance Company notified lite Department that the insurance policy covering the vehicle was tenninated \In February 20, 1995, and either no response was received from Mr. WicklU'd or lite infonnation he provided indicated a lapse of coverage which was not pennilled under Section 1786 of lite Vehicle Code. ~ Departmenl's cxhibit, sub-exhibit number one. The Departmenl's exhibit which is under seal and certification shows that the Department WIIS notified via eleclronic transmission by the Flagship City Insurance Company that the insurance coverage for vehicle with title number 22136303 was tenninated Fcbruary 20, I 995. ~ Department's exhibit, sub-cxhibit number two. The same document, sub-exhibit number two, indicates that as of April 20, 1995, Mr. Wickard had not obtained financial responsibility for the aforementioned \'ehicle. ~ Departmenl's exhibit, sub-exhibit number two. Section 1786, in part, states: 1786. Required financial responsibility (d) Suspension of registration and operating privilege. The Department of Transportation shall suspend the regiSlration ofa vehicle for a period ofthrec months ifit delennines lite rcquired financial responsibililY was not sceured as required by this chapter.... . . . This subsection shall not apply in the following cireumstances: (I) The O\\ner or rcgislrnnt proves to lite satisfoction of lite department that the lapse in financial responsibility coverage was for a period ofless than 31 days and that the O\\ller or regiSlrnnt Recycled Peper ~ The Honorable Kevin A. Hess .2. O<:tober 4, 1995 did not operate or pennitthe operation of the \'ehicle during the period of lapse in linaneial responsibility. 75 Pa. C.S. 1786 (d). The Department's initial burden in a registration suspension case under 75 Pa. C. S. I 786(d) is \0 show that: (I) the vehicle is of a type required to be registered; and (2) that the required IinlUleial responsibility on the vehicle had lapsed. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Dri\'er Lieensine v. ~, 157 Pa. Commw, CI. 645,630 A.2d 945 (1993). The Department is penniued to sustain its burden of proof and establish its prima facie case exclusively through the production of certilied documents. 42 Pa, C.S, 6104. Furthennore, the Department is specilieally authoril.cd to mcet its burden of proof through the production of certi lied documents or certilieation ofinfonnation received from insurance companies through electronic transmission 75 Pa. C. S. I 377(b). The Department respectfully submits that it met its burden. Once the Department presents its prima facie case, the burden then shifts to the motorist to show that the registration of his vehicle should not be suspended. DeDartment ofTransDortation. Bureau of Driver Lieensine v. Rilcv, 150 Pa. Commw. CI. 259,615 A.2d 905 (1992). The statutory exceptions to the registration suspensions mandated under Section I 786(d) arc found in Scetion 1786. The Department expects the motorist to argue that he never received notice from his insurlUlce complUlY of the lapse of coverage, that the motorist believed in good faith that his insurance policy WIIS still in elTect, that this was a mistake by the insurance company, and that upon notification, the motorist reinsured his vehicle. Sce Petition Paragraphs number 5, 6, & 7. Nothing in the language of Section 1786 explicitly or implicitly suggests a scienter requiremenl. ~ Commonwealth of Pennsvlvania. Bureau of Driver Licensine v Rilcv. 150 Po. Commw. C1.259, 615 A.2d 905 (1992).' In cases where the motorist argued that he did not receive notice from his insurance company, the Court has sustained the suspension. ~ Commonwealth of Pennsvl\'ania. lJureau of Driver Lieensine v. Riley, 150 Pa. Commw. C1.259, 615 A.2d 905 (1992); Commonwealth ofPennsvlvania, Bureau of Driver Licensine v. Hill, 117 Pa. Commw. CI. 160.543 A.2d 211. (1988). In fact, in a el\Se involving the suspension of the motorist's operating privilege under Section 1786 of the Vehicle Code, the Court dismissed the motorist's argument that through no fault of his 0\\11, he did not know that his insUll\nce had lapsed. Commonwealth ofPennsyh'ania Bureau of Driver Licensine v Stone, _ Pa. Commw. CI...... 647 A.2d 287 (1994). The Court in Sl2m stated that the Vehicle Code is clear, that there is no requirement that the Department establish that the person was at fault or that the person intended to operate the vehicle without insurance, and that the Department is not required to prove that the owner or registrant actually received notice of an imminent lapse in insurance. Commonwealth of Pennsvlvania. Bureau of Driver Licensine \'. Stone, _ Pa. Commw. CI...... 647 A.2d 287 (1994). The court has refused to add a "good faith" exception to the 1786 exceptions. ~ DeDartment ofTransoortalion. Bureau of Driver Lieensine v. Porter, 157 Pa. Commw. CI. 645,630 A.2d 945 (1993) 1.RiJa was o\'erruled on other grounds in Department of Transportation. Bureau of Driver Lieensine v Buss, 154 Pn. Commw. CI. 118,122 nJ, 623 A.2d 369, 371 nJ. (I 993)(en bane). ~ Broean v. DeDartmenl ofTransDortatiDn. Bureau of Driver Liecnsine, 164 Pa. Commw. CI. 558.562,643 A.2d 1126, 1127 (I994)(en bane). Thc Honorablc Kcvin A. Hess .3. October 4, 1995 Thc Deportment cxpects thc motorist to arguc that thc cancellation is erroneous because there was no "ovcrt oct" on thc port of thc insured and therefore, because there was no "overt oct," thc Deportment foiled to mcet its burden. ~ Commonwcahh of Pennsvlvania Bureau of Driver Lieensinu v. Shcpll1)', 161 Po. Commw. Cl. 314,636 A.2d 1270 (1994). In this case, the insured foiled to pay thc policy premium. ~ Deportment's exhibit, sub-cxhibit number 2. Cancellation for non-paymcnt ofthc premium has becn hcld to be on "overt oct" on thc port of thc insured. ~ Commonwealth of Pennsvlvania. Bureau of Dri\'er Lieensinuv Shcolcv. 161 Po. Commw. Ct314. 636 A.2d 1270 (1994); Commonweahh ofPennsvlvania. Bureau of Driver Licensinl! v Rilcv, 150 Po. Commw. C1.259. 615 A.2d 905 (1992). The Department submits fbat Sheolcv should be limited to its narrow facts given that thc insured in Sheplcy moiled thc insurer thc policy premium which thc insurer ncvcr rcc:ci\'ed, and upon notiec of lapsc, thc insured secured immediately new eo\'cragc. ~ Commonwcahh of Pennsvlvania. Bureau of Driver Licensinu v. Shcolcv. 161 Po. Commw. Cl. 314,636 A.2d 1270 (1994). Bused on thc aforementioned, the Department respectfully requcsts thc appeal to be dismissed and thc suspension reinstated. S:~J~ Georgc Kabusk Assistant Counsel GKlgk cc: Gregory Burton Abeln, Esq. Francis Bach, Assistant Counsel in Chargc, Drivcr Licensing Section DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, Appellee I I I I I I I I I I V XEVIN L. WICltARD, Appellant IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTy, PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION - LAW 95-3662 CIVIL TERM APPEAL FROM VEHICLE REGISTRATION SUSPENSION ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this 5th day of October, 1995, this matter having been called for hearing, by agreement of the parties, further hearing herein is continued, and an order of court reflecting the position of the parties will be entered on November 15, 1995. George Xabusk, Esquire Department of Transportation Attorney for Appellee Gregory B. Abeln, Esquire Attorney for Appellant Ibg By the Court, --1( . Xevi d- c.~... [)~~ JO/b/9~' .,A.-p. " ~ ' ~ l. .. ~ J '" . ~ ~ I' :: ... S6. !U 95 Z '1 1JO ~ ; ~ ' I I, ~: ,. j, " ! i .-- DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, Appellee IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION - LAW 95-3662 CIVIL TERM APPEAL FROM VEHICLE REGISTRATION SUSPENSION ORDER OF COURT V. KEVIN L. WICKARD, Appellant AND NOW, this ~ day of ~~ , 1995, and upon mutual consent of the Attorney for the Commonwealth and the Attorney for Appellant, IT IS ORDERED AND DIRECTED that the Official Notice issued on Appellant by the Department of Transportation on June 11, 1995 be complied with forthwi th, specifically, that the vehicle registration privilege for Appellant.s Chevrolet Truck, VIN number CS141B603067, Title number 22136303, Tag number YV6708a shall be suspended for three (3) months effective January 1, 1996 as authorized by section 1786(D) of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND DIRECTED that the Appellant return the current registration plate and card to the aforementioned vehicle to the Department. Credit toward serving the suspension will not begin until the registration plate is received by the Department. OURT I . /J Id- J. George Kabusk, Esquire Department of Transportation ' Attorney for Appellee ~('JlJ'.1.. 'lllpj,.L t, lip /,1 ,') - ,'.llI.... Gregory B. Abeln, Esquire Attorney for Appellant FilED-OfFICE Cc Ti": C,:J(1" "", ,'O",'Jl1Y .. j.. "4'.1 \,\.. '. 950EC 12 !~II 9: 59 C'U'''-''I:! ",.'.' ('('I f'ny I..L... "..' II...) .......""j~ rEi'!i\~)')';: /. '..:\!~\