How can family find out details about elderly relative's punishment for driving on suspended license (CA)?

[aingeni]

An 80-year-old relative with anger/mental health/dementia issues has been driving on a suspended license (for numerous speeding and other tickets and intentionally crashing her car into a building out of anger) and was caught, placed on a 72 hour hold in a psych ward, and her car impounded. She is very difficult, refuses to be forthcoming about any penalties and is demanding her relatives take her to pick up her car. So far no one will take her because she wants them to pick up the car and then turn it over to her to drive. Her children have tried to get medical and law authorities to hold her accountable over the years, but she is a master at lying and temporarily acting the poor, sweet, little old lady. We think she will figure out a way to get her car back and then she will be back on the road, speeding, getting lost for hours or days, driving recklessly. How can her children find out what is going on and get the authorities to take this problem seriously? She ordered the people in the psych ward not to speak to anyone about her, so they wouldn't even listen to her children. She refuses to go to a doctor or take any medication. This is in California.

[caffar]

There apparently is not a lot you can do. If the judge does not order confinement due to repeated traffic violations, she will remain free. And with jail overcrowding, confinement is not likely.

The only real approach is a hearing to have her declared mentally incompetent, and then have a guardian appointed for her affairs, and the guardian can take away the car keys. But this approach is not simple, and there are a lot of problems with it.

[juanito]

I would contact your local DAs office and speak with them about it. Driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor, so sometimes the DA does handle the case, but more often than not driving on a suspended license is handled in normal traffic court. Tell the DA about your relative's issues and that you as a family member are very concerned. Maybe they will try harder to get stiffer penalties placed on her.

Just my .019 cents.