I haven't been ignoring your clever attempt at free legal advice, I just don't know the answer off the top of my head and still haven't had time to research it. I do know that if a collection agency is pursuing a municipal debt, it has already (at least in theory) gone to judgment, meaning that Village or City records show you did not pay and/or did not demand a hearing and a judgment was then entered against you in the amount of the fine, plus possible late fees and costs. I am not aware of a statute of limitations on muncipal collection of a debt that has already gone to judgment. Municipal fines and penalties often receive special treatment. They are not dischargeable, for example, in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
If you are receiving a final warning, it does not sound like a dead account and you may want to contact the Village and find out if they have any record of payment before the Village boots your car and the collection agency starts messing with your credit rating. In the end though, if they say you haven't paid, you may have a tough go of it without proof that you did. They may be willing to settle for a portion of the total -worth asking if things don't appear to be breaking your way.
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I haven't been ignoring your clever attempt at free legal advice, I just don't know the answer off the top of my head and still haven't had time to research it. I do know that if a collection agency is pursuing a municipal debt, it has already (at least in theory) gone to judgment, meaning that Village or City records show you did not pay and/or did not demand a hearing and a judgment was then entered against you in the amount of the fine, plus possible late fees and costs. I am not aware of a statute of limitations on muncipal collection of a debt that has already gone to judgment. Municipal fines and penalties often receive special treatment. They are not dischargeable, for example, in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
If you are receiving a final warning, it does not sound like a dead account and you may want to contact the Village and find out if they have any record of payment before the Village boots your car and the collection agency starts messing with your credit rating. In the end though, if they say you haven't paid, you may have a tough go of it without proof that you did. They may be willing to settle for a portion of the total -worth asking if things don't appear to be breaking your way.
We believe you paid, if that counts for anything!
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