Bexar County Sheriff Fine (Alarm Permit Expired--Never was notified) (Rule: loan, lawyer)

[jasonapr78]

Hi everyone. I have a question and am hoping someone can help.

I just received a fine in the mail (delivered 15 min ago via certified mail) which doesn't disclose the amount but after further research it appears it can be anywhere between $50-$500 plus court costs. It is listed as a Class C Misdimeanor. I had a false alarm go off on the 14th, and the Sheriff showed up and it was a false alarm. Basically, I have had issues with one spot in my house and I had given instructions to ADT to NOT dispatch the Sheriff's Department if that particular zone went out but alas, they did it anyway.

My permit had expired at the end of February and since I was getting married and busy with work etc., the last thing on my mind was that I needed to renew my alarm permit.

Section 5 of the "Rules Governing the Regulation of Alarm Systems In Unincorporated Bexar County, Texas (Dated September 2004)" states the following:

Section 5. Term of Permit and Renewal
(c) The Sheriff shall give the permit holder at least thirty (30) days notice of the expiration date of the permit and the need for timely renewal; provided, however, that such notice or lack thereof for whatever reason shall not relieve the permit holder of his duty to renew such permit as provided hereunder. The notice shall include a statement that it is mandatory to renew the permit, the date the permit expires, instructions on how to renew the permit, the amount of the permit renewal fee, and that if not renewed prior to its expiration, the permit shall be revoked.

Now, how can you state a condition that requires that the Sheriff's office NOTIFY the resident within 30 days that the permit on file needs to be renewed but then say that doesn't alleviate the permit holder from renewing? Why would they EVER send a notice then?? I didn't receive one and I think it's BS that they are trying to fine me since they never notified me it needed to be renewed. When your registration is up for your car, they NOTIFY you to renew it.

I plan on fighting this in court but could use some advice if anyone has had this issue come up before. This is rediculous.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Jason

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by jasonapr78

Hi everyone. I have a question and am hoping someone can help.

I just received a fine in the mail (delivered 15 min ago via certified mail) which doesn't disclose the amount but after further research it appears it can be anywhere between $50-$500 plus court costs. It is listed as a Class C Misdimeanor. I had a false alarm go off on the 14th, and the Sheriff showed up and it was a false alarm. Basically, I have had issues with one spot in my house and I had given instructions to ADT to NOT dispatch the Sheriff's Department if that particular zone went out but alas, they did it anyway.

My permit had expired at the end of February and since I was getting married and busy with work etc., the last thing on my mind was that I needed to renew my alarm permit.

Section 5 of the "Rules Governing the Regulation of Alarm Systems In Unincorporated Bexar County, Texas (Dated September 2004)" states the following:

Section 5. Term of Permit and Renewal
(c) The Sheriff shall give the permit holder at least thirty (30) days notice of the expiration date of the permit and the need for timely renewal; provided, however, that such notice or lack thereof for whatever reason shall not relieve the permit holder of his duty to renew such permit as provided hereunder. The notice shall include a statement that it is mandatory to renew the permit, the date the permit expires, instructions on how to renew the permit, the amount of the permit renewal fee, and that if not renewed prior to its expiration, the permit shall be revoked.

Now, how can you state a condition that requires that the Sheriff's office NOTIFY the resident within 30 days that the permit on file needs to be renewed but then say that doesn't alleviate the permit holder from renewing? Why would they EVER send a notice then?? I didn't receive one and I think it's BS that they are trying to fine me since they never notified me it needed to be renewed. When your registration is up for your car, they NOTIFY you to renew it.

I plan on fighting this in court but could use some advice if anyone has had this issue come up before. This is rediculous.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Jason

Just received my "notice to renew" yesterday. They probably sent you a letter along the way somewhere. I've never failed to receive a letter. I don't think your "I didn't receive your letter and I was busy with work and getting married" is going to hold water. Sorry.

[ShaneSA]

Maybe if you renew the permit immediatly, you can plead mercy. If you have renewed the permit as soon as you know it's expired and plead it in court they may dismiss it. I'm thinking it's your only hope. I would also get ADT to repair, replace or do what it takes to fix the bad spot. take any repair orders to court. Lots of ammunition helps in court. Even if it is to just hope the judge dismisses it. It's better than doing nothing and hoping.

[jasonapr78]

Originally Posted by firstclassflyer

Just received my "notice to renew" yesterday. They probably sent you a letter along the way somewhere. I've never failed to receive a letter. I don't think your "I didn't receive your letter and I was busy with work and getting married" is going to hold water. Sorry.

Your post isn't helpful and comes off as arrogant and rude. I NEVER received a letter in the mail thank you very much. I would know if I did since I go through every piece of mail. If you're going to be post, be helpful or don't post. You wouldn't have known that you needed to renew it on your own the first time you've owned a home so don't act like you would have. Lucky for you that you received your letter.

I think it's pathetic that it's not a permanent permit like many other things..it's a money making scheme and nothing more. I will fight it since I'm not trying to get out of paying the renewal fee of $15. I'm not lazy either but they didn't do their job of notifying me which is why I'm upset.

I asked for help and insight not petty arrogance.

[perticusrex]

As much as this truly pains me, I am inclined to agree with FCF. I didn't know about permits and renewals with alarm systems either when it came to a home alarm systm when I first moved into my home ----- until the letter came in the mail. I imagine that they did in fact mail the reminder out to you, but perhaps it got lost or accidently tossed (since maybe you didnt know what it would look like to begin with) Can you attempt to get the permit before going to court? Maybe they will drop the citation or at least lower your fine if one is imposed. Sorry to hear about our bad luck, we all know sometimes life gets in the way, unfortunately I dont think it will matter much in court. Good luck!

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by jasonapr78

Your post isn't helpful and comes off as arrogant and rude. I NEVER received a letter in the mail thank you very much. I would know if I did since I go through every piece of mail. If you're going to be post, be helpful or don't post. You wouldn't have known that you needed to renew it on your own the first time you've owned a home so don't act like you would have. Lucky for you that you received your letter.

I think it's pathetic that it's not a permanent permit like many other things..it's a money making scheme and nothing more. I will fight it since I'm not trying to get out of paying the renewal fee of $15. I'm not lazy either but they didn't do their job of notifying me which is why I'm upset.

I asked for help and insight not petty arrogance.

The expiration date is listed on your permit. Are we going to hear another sorry excuse of "I never received that either"?
Moderator cut: off-topic

[ashbeeigh]

It's just like any other legal document. It may have even come certified or "please come by the post office." And since you're busy you didn't catch it. It happens. I hear it all the time from people I work with. But, the government doesn't care and all they want it is to get you in and out.

[firstclassflyer]

He's angry because he wasn't told what he wanted to hear...and I didn't coddle him. He's got his "mammy" for that.

[wellguy]

I'm sorry but SAPD /BCSD /TXDOT /TCEQ etc. don't owe us a reminder notice. As adults are we not responsible for our own actions? .If any of my Licenses expire (I have several) do I blame the Regulatory Agency that issued it to me? Our neighbor whined about her $250.00 ticket due to BCSD responding to an alarm (which was false) and later found that it was not permitted.

If $15.00 per year is going to hurt anyone let me know and I'll float you a loan. What do you think it cost to have an Officer respond? Be thankful that BCSD /SAPD respond to the alarms whether false or not and I'll assure you they are not requiring permits to be renewed as a money maker. In fact I'll bet dinner on it that they loose tons of money yearly due to false alarms. I would be curious to know how many alarms are false. Without the stats I thinks its safe to say that the vast majority are but they always respond.

By the way, I'll side with BCSD and assure you that you were notified. I have never not been notified to renew any license. I'm not being arrogant- just responsible and willing to accept that fact that I too mess up without blaming anyone but myself.

[wCat]

Originally Posted by jasonapr78

Section 5 of the "Rules Governing the Regulation of Alarm Systems In Unincorporated Bexar County, Texas (Dated September 2004)" states the following:

Section 5. Term of Permit and Renewal
(c) The Sheriff shall give the permit holder at least thirty (30) days notice of the expiration date of the permit and the need for timely renewal; provided, however, that such notice or lack thereof for whatever reason shall not relieve the permit holder of his duty to renew such permit as provided hereunder. The notice shall include a statement that it is mandatory to renew the permit, the date the permit expires, instructions on how to renew the permit, the amount of the permit renewal fee, and that if not renewed prior to its expiration, the permit shall be revoked.


Jason

Jason...I know...it bites. But I wouldn't waste my time fighting it. They had a good lawyer that knew how to get you coming and going. It doesn't matter ....the wind and rain and hail and snow can stop your mail, but you are still required to get that permit regardless of being notified. Sorry....