What's eatin' you?

I am not going to go ON and ON and ON about my usual pet peeves about grammar and spelling. It is an exercise in futility at this point.

No. I have new "irks."

My squawk is something that is more than just annoying. It should be illegal. In our recent dealings with the legal system here in Clackamas County we have had to apply for a court appointed attorney, whom we have yet to meet with. We filled out the application and were told to contact the office in 3 days if we did not hear from anyone. That's all. We called back and were assigned someone. Sounds simple enough.

NOT A CHANCE!

Today I received in the mail a very strongly-worded letter stating that we owe $310. HUH?! I thought the reason people were assigned public defense is because they cannot afford an attorney. Here is exactly what the letter says:

"You requested a court appointed attorney on the above referenced case. You were informed the application fee and/or contribution amount was owed."

No, we were not!

"The application fee and contribution amount was due in full at that time. A judgment for the full amount has been entered against you. YOUR CASE IS NOW DELINQUENT."

"Up to $200.00 will be added to your unpaid balance 30 days after the conviction was entered in this case"

What conviction? There has been no conviction.

"Your unpaid balances may be referred to a collection agency for further collection action to include garnishment of your income or assets. An additional 28 percent will be added to cover collection costs."

Good luck! We have no income which is WHY we applied for public defense!!!

My feeling is that if a credit company sent a letter like that, filled with lies to induce payment, they could be held legally accountable for harassment. Why, then, is it okay for the court to send out such a letter?

Upon calling the court collections department, we were informed to ignore the letter. It's the same one they send out to everybody and it can't be changed.

WHAT?!?!?

The legal system can legally threaten with lies to exhort payment from someone who doesn't really owe anything?

This is something that needs to be changed! But maybe I should refrain from rocking the boat until after we settle things in court.