ANDERSON — A 37-year-old Anderson man said in Anderson Municipal Court on Thursday that he would continue to violate the law so he could drive to work and provide for his children.

Jeffrey Norris of Whitfield Point in Anderson told Judge Ken Mattison in Anderson Municipal Court that he has been in jail since Aug. 26, the time when an officer stopped Norris for having another vehicle's tag on his truck, and wanted to get out “no matter what it takes.”

Norris pleaded guilty to a third count of driving with a suspended license and having an improper tag on his vehicle before disputing charges that he had no proof that he owned the vehicle and that the vehicle was uninsured.Mattison ordered Norris to pay fines of $2,683.75 and serve 120 days in jail, including a mandatory $2,105 fine plus 90 days in jail for the third offense of driving with a suspended license.Earlier, Norris testified that he was the one who had bought the truck and had to put another man's name on the title to continue driving and supporting his family in spite of license suspensions dating to 2001.

“I'm still going to drive anyway,” he said, promising to drive to City Hall and pay his fines. “I have kids to support. I can't live without driving.”

Officer Jada Burgin, telling Mattison that Norris is a habitual violator, testified that the man whose name was on the title told her that the truck was sold to Norris roughly months ago.

Upon examining the title, Mattison, noting a name other than Norris, said the title was not signed to indicate the owner's intent to transfer it to Norris.

“If it's his truck, how can I be charged?” Norris asked.