Complaint Review: Metro Traffic School

On 1/19/2010 I was arrested for a DUI. I plead no contest and had my license suspended. After six months of probation I was released early for good behavior.  I had completed community service hours, paid the fine, had counseling and done everything else I was required to do. On my last visit, Metro Traffic School told me that my license was reinstated as of 12/21/2010.

On 2/11/2011 I was driving to a friend's house and was pulled over randomly. I asked why I was pulled over. The officer told me that my license was suspended! I said that there must be a mistake because I had completed all requirements for the DUI and was told my license was valid.

I phoned my mother who then called Metro Traffic School for proof that my license was valid. My mother told me that  Ms. Reyes at the driving school gasped over the phone and admitted there had been a mistake -she realized my record hadn't updated. She immediately sent my mother a letter stating that I had completed all requirements, and finally sent my updated status to Tallahasee.

I spent a day and a half in jail because the driving school hadn't bothered to double check their work! My mother tried to get me out of jail on the first day with the letter from  Ms. Reyes as "proof" and told the Broward County Jail I had been wrongfully arrested. The jail not care and told her to save it for the judge. Upon my hearing, the court dismissed my case but would not fix my record. My case was non-adjudicated.

I currently work at a rehab center and to have a 2nd mugshot appear (first was from DUI and never comes off) when my name is searched makes me look like a repeat offender and is defamation of character- since I'm innocent. I called the driving school again on 6/27/13 and was placed on hold for ten minutes and then hung up on. I called back, left a message for a manager to call me and my call was not returned.

Metro Traffic then directed me to the police station. I called the Broward County Sheriffs office (954)831-8700 who claimed they were unable to help but referred me to "Not Me" at the State Attorney's office (954) 831-8425. There I was told that my problem was a matter of changing my record. So then I got in touch with The Records Dept (954)831-8100 who said to call (954)831-6040 who finally gave me some help!

This office at (954)831-6040 said a lot of people have the same problem (getting rid of a mugshot for a wrongful arrest). The clerk explained to me that even if I got my record sealed or expunged the mugshot would still be out there; www.jailbase.com had since taken it down- but sold it to several other sites! Attempting to take down the mugshot myself, I paid $51 online to get it removed. The mugshot was taken down but back up within a week under another company.

I called Metro Traffic School again, explaining my situation to Dulce (in the Doral office) who told me to fax her the letter written by Ms. Reyes admitting it was the fault of the driving school. She promised to take my case to her supervisor and get back to me.

Finally, Jim Scott(a supervisor from Metro ) called me back after investigating my case. He said that after reviewing all info and talking to Ms. Reyes who claimed "not to know" where the mistake of not updating my license as valid happened; said that Metro Traffic had done the job on their end and a clerical error in Tallahassee's DUI department must have ocurred. I have called the DUI dept. (850)617-2505 in Tallahassee on 7/1/13 and am awaiting a call back.

I want to have the agency(s) responsible for this error restore my reputation by paying to get my mugshot and record of arrest removed from the internet. That appears to be the only solution. The cost of removing the info from ALL sites permanently is under $600 at www.mugshotremoval.net.

I have attached one letter from Ms. Reyes (Metro) and a 2nd letter from Jim Scott, supervisor at Metro. Metro claims not to be at fault; howver if they would've bothered to confirm my status I wouldn't have been arrested and have a soiled reputation! Mr. Scott asked me to contact he DUI program in Tallahassee which I am about to do... Please help!

Sincerely,

Erika K.