Feds: Judges Erase Truckers' Tickets
Millions In Funding At Stake If Allegations Were Proven True
POSTED: 4:54 pm CST February 12,
2008
UPDATED: 7:34 pm CST February 12,
2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The federal government said some Nashville judges are giving truckers illegal breaks on their traffic tickets.
Video: Judges Accused Of Giving Truckers Breaks On TicketsIf the practice continues, a government representative said, Tennessee could lose millions of federal dollars for its highway projects.When the driver of a truck gets ticketed for speeding, he's not supposed to get a break on his ticket, and, under federal law, he or she can't go to traffic school to keep the ticket off his or her license.But the federal government said it has learned some Metro judges are breaking the law and letting truckers erase their tickets.In a special meeting on Tuesday, general sessions judges were warned by a state lawyer if they're doing it, they'd better quit.“They're apparently going to be pretty strict on that,” said assistant general counsel Aaron Conklin.The Federal Department of Transportation wrote a letter to the state on Jan. 23 that said the department had become aware of instances in Davidson County where Metro is not complying with federal law. The DOT is threatening to cut off millions of dollars in funding to the state of Tennessee if judges don't follow the letter of the law."As far as I know, judges are following the prescription of the law,” said Judge Dan Eisenstein.The judges said they've stopped the practice and each signed a letter to the feds saying so."I think the letter is putting on record we are assuring the federal authorities that we are going to continue to follow the law,” said Judge Leon Ruben.The department’s warning letter said Tennessee could lose 5 percent of its federal funds, which means more than $26 million is at stake for state road and bridge projects.
Video: Judges Accused Of Giving Truckers Breaks On TicketsIf the practice continues, a government representative said, Tennessee could lose millions of federal dollars for its highway projects.When the driver of a truck gets ticketed for speeding, he's not supposed to get a break on his ticket, and, under federal law, he or she can't go to traffic school to keep the ticket off his or her license.But the federal government said it has learned some Metro judges are breaking the law and letting truckers erase their tickets.In a special meeting on Tuesday, general sessions judges were warned by a state lawyer if they're doing it, they'd better quit.“They're apparently going to be pretty strict on that,” said assistant general counsel Aaron Conklin.The Federal Department of Transportation wrote a letter to the state on Jan. 23 that said the department had become aware of instances in Davidson County where Metro is not complying with federal law. The DOT is threatening to cut off millions of dollars in funding to the state of Tennessee if judges don't follow the letter of the law."As far as I know, judges are following the prescription of the law,” said Judge Dan Eisenstein.The judges said they've stopped the practice and each signed a letter to the feds saying so."I think the letter is putting on record we are assuring the federal authorities that we are going to continue to follow the law,” said Judge Leon Ruben.The department’s warning letter said Tennessee could lose 5 percent of its federal funds, which means more than $26 million is at stake for state road and bridge projects.Copyright 2008 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.
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