So a state trooper pulled me over the other day because my license plates were suspended. Turns out my old insurance company didn’t notify the MVA when I switched providers, so the plates got flagged. The trooper asked for my license — I only have a learner’s permit — and I handed it over, along with my passenger’s license since he has a full one. When the trooper came back, he told me that my permit was suspended and then took it from me. I went to the MVA and paid a $400 fine for the plates, and while I was there, they told me my permit was suspended because I never completed a Driver Improvement Program (DIP) from two years ago. Thing is — I actually did complete it. I called the driving school, and they admitted they forgot to submit the completion to the MVA. They basically just said “sorry,” but now I’ve got a court date, and the letter says there’s a possibility of jail time. Now I’m freaking out. I’ve got about $1,000 to my name. Should I try to hire a lawyer, or go with a public defender? I really don’t want to risk going to jail over something like this. Location: Frederick,Maryland

Hi, yes a throwaway account cuz im a bit nervous So starting a few weeks after changing insurance providers, the pharmacy accidentally (?) put some meds on the wrong insurance(multiple times tbh, and the last one was over 6 weeks after the insurance had been stopped?!) . i get a notice maybe a month later saying i owe them quite a large sum of money. I go back and forth for about half a year before i was able to get a check from my new insurance to cover it. It isnt even the whole amount, but it helps. Now im so frustrated w the old insurance for putting us thru so much hassle. I tried to do a payout w them for like half the amount for all the trouble and after their review, they denied that request. But what if i were to let it go to collections and then do a lump sum payout with them? Any ideas how badly that would affect my credit? Im floating typically around 800 so i have decent credit. Or does medica debt even count towards credit score? I feel like i cant find a solid answer to that…im in the midwest usa for reference. Or even, what am i mot considering by doing this? I could def use the extra money, this whole situation was not my intention. It was rly super stressful tbh. Thoughts? Thanks everyone in advance! Any suggestions advice etc welcome.