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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.

Thomas Moritz, Caral Lieblein, Kala Madugula vs Teresa Seiler

Case Number

23CV01791

Case Type

Civil Law & Motion

Hearing Date / Time

Wed, 01/03/2024 - 10:00

Nature of Proceedings

Motions to Be Relieved as Counsel (3)

Tentative Ruling

Plaintiff: Randall Fox

Defendant: Douglas Black

 

Ruling

The 3 motions are GRANTED. The next CMC date of 1/24/24 at 8:30 am is confirmed.

Analysis

Randall Fox of Reetz, Fox & Bartlett LLP seeks to be relieved as counsel of record for each of the three Plaintiffs, Thomas Moritz, Carla Lieblein, and Kala Madugula, on grounds that “Client is in breach of [their] payment obligations under the services agreement with Attorney.”

The declaration in support of each motion states that the clients were each served by mail at their last known address, which counsel has confirmed by telephone is current within the past 30 days. The declarations set forth the upcoming (at the time the motion was filed) discovery obligations (12/12 responses to written discovery by Plaintiff Moritz, 3/7 depositions of 2 of the Plaintiffs) and hearing dates (3/6 Seiler MSJ, 5/3 MSC, and 5/22 jury trial). The declarations set forth the contractual obligation to pay fees and to withdraw from representation if client fails to comply, including for non-payment of fees, that a substitution of attorney form was presented to each Plaintiff, which was not signed.

The only problem is the form order which was provided by counsel for each Plaintiff—Paragraph 5 does not have any provision checked. It should have sub-paragraph (a) checked: Attorney is relieved as counsel of record for client (a) effective upon the filing of the proof of service of this signed order upon the client.

The Court will have the Clerk of the Court check that box on orders submitted to the Court’s signature queue.

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