Via Twitter, I alluded to this last week or so, but only got a chance to scan these documents today after finally convincing Trinity to let me blog this. In a nutshell, the county of Los Angeles is so hard up for cash, they’re going after Trinity for a 7-year-old (or older) library fine. And they’re going after him aggressively — I remember having a fine with L.A. County libraries as well, probably since I was a child, but didn’t get collector’s letters like this.

Yes, that first letter did confuse us and we sort of hemmed and hawed to figure out what we were going to do. But then, two more letters arrived! On the same day!

Basically, the second letter confirms some phantom phone call they had with Trinity about a payment plan of $20 a month. The third letter was another confirmation, plus included some language that I thought was very interesting.

PURSUANT TO SECTION 360.5 OF THE CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE I/WE AGREE THAT ALL STATUTES OF LIMITATION UPON THE DEBT REFERRED TO ABOVE ARE HEREBY FOREVER WAIVED.

Considering no one called the county about this debt, I find it interesting that they’re ready to take away our rights as debtors so quickly. I’m not even sure how or who could have called on this debt — Trinity says he didn’t (and I’m pretty sure he didn’t) and I know I didn’t, and even if I did, I have no rights to negotiate debts for Trinity, even if I am his wife.

Anyway, I know Trinity is now planning to call on this debt to contest it, because $87 is a little excessive considering he returned the books in question. That is, I know, one right we still have — the right to demand proof of the debt in writing.

*So Trinity finally called about this letter (with my voice in his head, nagging him, he says) and confirmed someone did call to establish a payment plan….even though it wasn’t him. Long story short, he discussed the $87 fee, the person he discussed it with thought it was kind of excessive, so now the fee is $10 per book. It was for four books, so Trin plans to pay that tomorrow before work at our nearest county library. Now, maybe he can get his library card back…