Trucking: C.D.L., gross weights, driver responsibility

Question
In 1995 I had 7 years exp. 48&can.allweather driving.I reloaded to head back east,when I checked my axle & gross weights I found that the gross was 88,000#.Knowing that this was driver responsibility I called dispatch to confirm.He ask to please try and get the load out cal. and if any problems the co. would take care of them.The load consisted of broccli packed in ice.I was able to melt by the next morning about 4000# bringing the gross down.With no waiting time left I proceeded across the east bound Banning scales.And you know it I got caught it took another eight hours to melt the ice reweighing the truck over and over all day long finally enough to get legal.Stil got a large ticket.Not knowing the amount until months later,600.00 I then spoke to the dispacther again no results confronted the owner no results them telling it was my problem.I then quit trucking because I never paid up.Finally my question does this sound personal or could also be legal.                                   NO.C.D.L.

Answer
I dont know if it is a personal or legal question,but I do know that since as the driver you were ultimately responsible for the load. If you took the load out of Ca. knowing that you were overweight,then you are responsible for all of the consequences of that action.I might suggest that you ask an attorney if you have a legal case,but as the driver,the final decision was yours. The company cannot force you to run illegal.