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Fraud Alert: Scam Text Messages Claiming DMV Penalties -

We have been made aware of fraudulent text messages being sent to individuals claiming to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or the court system. These messages often state that the recipient owes penalties or fees related to traffic violations or DMV infractions and may include a link or phone number to resolve the matter. 

Take these steps to reduce the chances of falling victim to a text message scam:

  • Never respond to unsolicited or suspicious texts — If you receive a message asking for personal or financial information, do not reply.
  • Verify the source — If you are unsure, always contact the DMV through official channels.
  • Call the DMV if you have concerns — The DMV customer service team is available to help you at 800-777-0133.

Please see DMV warning about fraudulent texts: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/dmv-warns-of-fraudulent-te…

Jury Scam alert -

The Santa Barbara Superior Court has received complaints about individuals trying to scam members of the public by pretending to be court officers or officials. The Jury Services office of the Santa Barbara Superior Court does not call citizens to request payments for failing to appear for jury duty. California law does not permit citizens to pay a fine in lieu of jury duty. If you receive such a call simply hang up and, if the scammer persists, call your local law enforcement agency. Learn more about the recent scam warning.

Notice to Jurors:

Prospective jurors summoned for jury service can expect to receive their jury summons in postcard form. Please check your mail for a postcard with important instructions to fulfil your jury service. Visit the Jury Services page for more information.

Wajdi Traish vs Melissa Drake MD Inc et al

Case Number

22CV04015

Case Type

Civil Law & Motion

Hearing Date / Time

Fri, 12/20/2024 - 10:00

Nature of Proceedings

Motions to Compel

Tentative Ruling

On April 10, 2024, a Substitution of Attorneys form was filed whereby plaintiff’s former counsel substituted out of the action on his behalf, and plaintiff substituted in to represent himself. He has continued to represent himself in this action, through his appearance via Zoom for hearings that have been scheduled in the action. He has not filed any documents in the action since he began representing himself.

On October 9, 2024, defendants served Special Interrogatories (Set 4) and Requests for Production (Set 4) on plaintiff by electronic service. Upon receiving no responses, defendant on November 15, 2024, filed motions to compel responses to the discovery, without objections, and again served them upon plaintiff by electronic service.

Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6 (c), an unrepresented (i.e., self-represented) party may only be electronically served with documents in a case if the unrepresented party has provided consent to receive electronic service in the manner set forth in the statute. Section 1010.6(c)(3) provides that “[E]xpress consent to electronic service may be given by either of the following: (i) Serving a notice on all parties and filing the notice with the court. (ii) Manifesting affirmative consent through electronic means with the court or the court’s electronic filing service provider, and concurrently providing the party’s electronic address with that consent for the purpose of receiving electronic service. The act of electronic filing shall not be construed as express consent.”

Under this authority, once plaintiff began representing himself, he could no longer be electronically served with any documents in this case unless he provided consent to such electronic service, in the manner set forth in Section 1010.6(c)(3). He has not done so. As a result, defendants’ electronic service upon plaintiff with the discovery, and the motions to compel responses, was contrary to law and invalid.  Since neither the discovery nor the motions to compel were validly served upon plaintiff, the motions to compel must be denied.

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