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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, July 27, 2005

'Fixing' traffic tickets may prove costly

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

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A former District Court officer is facing up to five years in prison on charges she fixed two traffic tickets in 2002.

Alberta Souza, 61, employed as a court clerk at the Wai'anae District Court for more than 12 years, is accused of having a citation for not using a seat belt dismissed at the Wai'anae court. That occurred after Souza transferred the December 2002 case from 'Ewa to Wai'anae, prosecutors said.

Souza also is accused of tampering with a citation issued in October 2002.

As a result, the defendant did not serve a three-day sentence in jail, his fine was never paid and costs for driver's education and other fees were dismissed, prosecutors say.

The state rested its case yesterday. Trial resumes tomorrow before Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario.

Deputy Attorney General Larry Goya said ticket-fixing "happens occasionally and is not a systemic problem."

"The importance of this is we have to rely on court records," Goya said. "When this kind of thing happens, it throws into question whether we can rely on records and the integrity of judicial system.

"Then it becomes law decided not by law but who you know."

The defense will contend there's no evidence of misconduct: no favors asked, none given. Souza's attorney is Eric Seitz.

The Class C felony offenses are punishable by up to five years in jail and/or a fine of $10,000.

Souza, who worked for the judiciary for more than 20 years, has been fired, according to chief courts administrator William Santos.