I was so focused on the upcoming date of Wednesday, July 10, 2024—and uncertain about what would happen next—that I mistakenly believed I had a required court appearance scheduled that week. After reviewing my calendar more carefully, I discovered an entry for Tuesday, July 2, which had already passed. Realizing I may have missed an appointment was extremely concerning.

At the time, I was uncertain about my legal status, where I was expected to appear, and what steps I was required to take. I went in person around noon to clarify the situation, but initially went to the wrong location. I was later informed that criminal and civil matters were being handled at the High Court building. Below is the letter of apology I submitted to the court on Monday, July 8, at noon. The process involved several hours of administrative clarification and redirection, and I am including it here as part of the documentation for independent review.

Letter of Apology Submitted to the Court (July 8, 2024)

Dear Honorable Judge,

My name is Ross Cline, and I am writing to sincerely apologize for missing the scheduled court date on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 11:00 AM. If my appearance on that date was required, I deeply regret the oversight and wish to explain the circumstances.

As a foreign resident with limited familiarity with the legal system, I have found this process difficult to navigate. Over the past several years, I have been under sustained pressure related to legal actions arising from a dispute with my former landlord. The ongoing proceedings have been complex, and at times I have had difficulty understanding official documents, scheduling requirements, and procedural steps without consistent legal assistance or adequate language support.

I respectfully note that I did not clearly understand that an appearance was required on July 2, and I may not have received, or may not have fully understood, any notice related to that date. My misunderstanding regarding the correct location and timing was not intentional. In prior years, I relied on friends to help interpret and confirm schedules, but as the proceedings continued, it became increasingly difficult to secure consistent assistance for routine procedural clarity.

I respectfully request clear instructions regarding where and when I am expected to appear going forward, and what steps I must take to ensure full compliance. I want to follow the court’s requirements correctly, and I am concerned about misunderstandings leading to unnecessary consequences.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I respectfully ask for guidance and clarity so that I may proceed appropriately.

Sincerely,

Ross Cline 柯受恩
rosscline.com
+886-975-474-889
iLearn.tw
台灣台中市西屯區
大墩二十街118號5F-1

There is a clear distinction between respect for a judicial system and becoming emotionally worn down by prolonged uncertainty. I hoped that by December 1, when I planned to travel for Christmas with my family, there would be sufficient clarity and stability for me to continue living in Taiwan peacefully. The length and difficulty of these proceedings show how hard I tried to preserve what I built in Taiwan since age 28. I share this not to disparage Taiwan, but to explain the seriousness of the uncertainty I experienced and the importance of clear procedures and accessible language support for foreign residents. I remain hopeful that the matter can be resolved fairly and that I can move forward with appropriate closure and clarity.

Video Evidence

I later learned information suggesting that an individual connected to the landlord may have been associated with the concerning phone call referenced in the police report. In a mediation video, the individual responded to a remark I made by placing multiple cell phones on the table and stating that he was not the caller. He then suggested I call the number from which the call came, as a way to indicate he was not responsible. I include this as contextual material for independent reviewers to assess alongside the underlying record.