Had my court date today for the speeding ticket I got last month. That was the one where I was taking the wife to the airport in the Accord, and got nailed for 80 in a 65.
The funny thing about today is how they handle traffic court. In our county it's just like a regular courtroom and you wait your turn before the judge. In the county I went to today, they do it completely different.
I walk up and notice they have a metal detector at the door. By habit, I've got my not so small knife in my back pocket...ooops. I turn around, and hide my knife in a snow pile outside since I'm parked 3 blocks away. Yes it was still there when I got out. I go through the airport-like security, sign in with the baliff, and wait for my name to be called. Now is when I notice the difference.
The Assistant DA's are calling people one-by-one, and offering them deals right there in the lobby. No judge or anything. If you want the deal, then you take it and you have up to 60 days to pay your fine. If you don't want it, and want to challenge the charge, then you'll have to wait 6-8 weeks for a court date where the officer will show up to give his statement. This was totally new to me, but it's very efficient.
My deal:
Previous speeding ticket - 82/65 in Dec 2002 (4 points, $172.00)
This sppeding ticket - 80/65 in Dec 2004 (4 points, $181.00)
Offer: Reduced to "Defective Speedometer" , only 2 points and $156.20. Not required to show repair receipt either.
Hell yeah I took it!
Sorry for the rant...just wanted to share.
The funny thing about today is how they handle traffic court. In our county it's just like a regular courtroom and you wait your turn before the judge. In the county I went to today, they do it completely different.
I walk up and notice they have a metal detector at the door. By habit, I've got my not so small knife in my back pocket...ooops. I turn around, and hide my knife in a snow pile outside since I'm parked 3 blocks away. Yes it was still there when I got out. I go through the airport-like security, sign in with the baliff, and wait for my name to be called. Now is when I notice the difference.
The Assistant DA's are calling people one-by-one, and offering them deals right there in the lobby. No judge or anything. If you want the deal, then you take it and you have up to 60 days to pay your fine. If you don't want it, and want to challenge the charge, then you'll have to wait 6-8 weeks for a court date where the officer will show up to give his statement. This was totally new to me, but it's very efficient.
My deal:
Previous speeding ticket - 82/65 in Dec 2002 (4 points, $172.00)
This sppeding ticket - 80/65 in Dec 2004 (4 points, $181.00)
Offer: Reduced to "Defective Speedometer" , only 2 points and $156.20. Not required to show repair receipt either.
Sorry for the rant...just wanted to share.
