14,223 driver's licenses revoked in Montgomery County

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — When Miranda Foy received a letter this week telling her that her driver's license was revoked because she owed unpaid court fees, she was sure it must be a mistake.

She admits that in 2012, she was charged with a DUI and simple drug possession, but she says she paid $1,600 in court fines, finished probation and paid those fees, too.

But after waiting in line Tuesday with many other upset people at the Montgomery County Courts Center, she was told she still owes $1,600 in those cases, and unless she pays or sets up a payment plan, her license would remain revoked.

"I don't know what to do," the Clarksville woman said, crying outside the courthouse. "I did everything I was supposed to do."

But that's not what the records show. And Foy isn't alone. This week, thousands of driver's licenses were revoked in Clarksville and the surrounding area after Montgomery County notified the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security that those people failed to pay litigation taxes, court costs or fines assessed by Montgomery County General Sessions Court.

Revoked licenses bring hundreds to court

Patty Arms, chief deputy of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, said 14,223 notices were sent out in an effort to collect on fines and fees dating back to 2012.

That's when a state law was passed that allowed courts to have licenses revoked in criminal cases, even those not related to driving, if people did not pay fines and fees within a year. In 2013, Circuit Court in Montgomery County started using that tool, but technology limitations forced it to handle the cases individually.

A computer system change last year now allows the county's computers to connect to the state system, making it easier to track and report delinquent cases and get driver's licenses revoked.

The large batch of notices sent out this week is catching hundreds, if not thousands, of motorists off guard.

Edward Napper got a notice on Monday saying he owed $12,000 after serving 10 years in jail and thinking he now had a clean slate. His wife was with him, trying to figure out something that would make that bill go away or at least be a bit smaller. She was trying to come up with a payment plan that wouldn't leave them penniless.

"I have a certain amount of money and that's all," Napper said. "I don't even know what to do."

If his license remains revoked, he said, he can't get to work.

Arms said that those who got a notice have one chance to set up a payment plan, but if they don't stick to it, licenses will be revoked again.

Court staff had been working since September to go through all the general sessions records to make sure they were accurate before finally "pushing the button" and sending the notices to the state April 24.

"Notices of Revocation" from the state were generated a day later and sent out by mail.

This week, phones at the courthouse began ringing constantly and lines formed at the windows with people wanting to know what to do. Many were angry.

Bill Ray Cunningham, 68, of Clarksville said he received two notices and had no idea what they were for because he'd never even received a parking ticket in Montgomery County.

"I'm a minister," he said. "I haven't got any tickets. I wouldn't do something wrong."

Eventually, it was determined that the notice was meant for his son, Billy Cunningham Jr., who plans to take care of the matter this week.

Foy left the courthouse with an agreement to pay $50 per month. She said as a single mother the cost will hurt, especially because she feels it's a debt she already paid.

"I don't have a choice," she said.

Reach breaking news reporter Stephanie Ingersoll at 245-0267 and on Twitter @StephLeaf.