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- Thread starter equalizer442
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equalizer442
Active Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2002
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a small update on the ticket i went to court 2 days ago and sence ive been on a lazy streak ever sence one of my moms emails to a friend will sum it up
The original trial was to be today at 10. Our lawyer said that since we had an attorney it would automatically be bumped back to 11 ... but to meet him at the courthouse at 10:30 so that he could go over the case with us and speak to Naomi.
We walked in at 10:25. The bailiff told us that we were late and that the police officer was about to be dismissed! My heart stopped.
I told him that we had been told that our case wouldn't be heard before 11. He told us to go on into the courtroom and if they called our case to tell them we were there but our lawyer wasn't. Said they would hold it over until the lawyer showed up.
So ... I sent everyone else in with instructions on what to do if Ronald was called ... hoping they wouldn't screw THAT up ... and waited in the hall for our lawyer.
He showed up right at 10:30 but didn't want to disrupt the court by pulling us all back out ... so we had to go in without talking about anything. So ... I had no idea what was about to happen.
The case they were hearing was a guy just a couple of years older than Ronald. Charge was the same ... reckless driving ... but he'd been going MUCH slower than Ronald had.
This guy had a lawyer with him. He got a lecture and a half from the judge. Had me trembling! The charges were reduced to speeding ... but he lost his permit for a year and was fined $500 and given a years probation.
I about pooped!
Ronald was the next case. First thing the judge did was to refuse to drop the reckless down to speeding. Because of the miles of hour over the limit. I just knew he'd had it!
The police testified as to what had happened ... and said that Ronald had been very polite and cooperative with him.
Then Ronald testified. Then Naomi. Then the lawyer asked a few questions. Pointed out his -- until this point -- good driving record and talked about his schooling. Also did a good job of pointing out that while he was speeding ... it was to get to church on time. He wasn't out drag racing or thrill riding like most kids his age are doing when caught.
Then the DA bitch got to talk. She was a total BITCH. Told the judge she wanted his permit to be revoked for a year with no qualifications (driving to work or school) and the maximum fine.
Once again ... I thought I would just pooh!
First thing the judge says is ... I'm charging you with reckless driving. Your insurance is going to go up and you are just going to have to deal with that.
My heart stopped.
Then ... he said ... I'm taking your permit for 30 days ... IF you have no more problems within the next year. If no problems you may continue to drive.
And then he said ... I'm fining you $300. $200 to be suspended if there are no problems within the next year!
So ... we walked out paying a $100 fine and $64 court costs! With his permit!
The original trial was to be today at 10. Our lawyer said that since we had an attorney it would automatically be bumped back to 11 ... but to meet him at the courthouse at 10:30 so that he could go over the case with us and speak to Naomi.
We walked in at 10:25. The bailiff told us that we were late and that the police officer was about to be dismissed! My heart stopped.
I told him that we had been told that our case wouldn't be heard before 11. He told us to go on into the courtroom and if they called our case to tell them we were there but our lawyer wasn't. Said they would hold it over until the lawyer showed up.
So ... I sent everyone else in with instructions on what to do if Ronald was called ... hoping they wouldn't screw THAT up ... and waited in the hall for our lawyer.
He showed up right at 10:30 but didn't want to disrupt the court by pulling us all back out ... so we had to go in without talking about anything. So ... I had no idea what was about to happen.
The case they were hearing was a guy just a couple of years older than Ronald. Charge was the same ... reckless driving ... but he'd been going MUCH slower than Ronald had.
This guy had a lawyer with him. He got a lecture and a half from the judge. Had me trembling! The charges were reduced to speeding ... but he lost his permit for a year and was fined $500 and given a years probation.
I about pooped!
Ronald was the next case. First thing the judge did was to refuse to drop the reckless down to speeding. Because of the miles of hour over the limit. I just knew he'd had it!
The police testified as to what had happened ... and said that Ronald had been very polite and cooperative with him.
Then Ronald testified. Then Naomi. Then the lawyer asked a few questions. Pointed out his -- until this point -- good driving record and talked about his schooling. Also did a good job of pointing out that while he was speeding ... it was to get to church on time. He wasn't out drag racing or thrill riding like most kids his age are doing when caught.
Then the DA bitch got to talk. She was a total BITCH. Told the judge she wanted his permit to be revoked for a year with no qualifications (driving to work or school) and the maximum fine.
Once again ... I thought I would just pooh!
First thing the judge says is ... I'm charging you with reckless driving. Your insurance is going to go up and you are just going to have to deal with that.
My heart stopped.
Then ... he said ... I'm taking your permit for 30 days ... IF you have no more problems within the next year. If no problems you may continue to drive.
And then he said ... I'm fining you $300. $200 to be suspended if there are no problems within the next year!
So ... we walked out paying a $100 fine and $64 court costs! With his permit!
TurboJunky
Fire the Federal Gov't
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2002
- Messages
- 5,104
You guys who "presume" cops are filling quotas or speeding tickets are nothing but "refenue generators" are clueless.
Granted, there are some jurisdictions who abuse their power and/or set up speed traps however I don't believe that's the norm and just another stereotype.
The simple fact is that SPEEDING KILLS people. When your speed doubles from 30mph to 60mph your required stopping distance doesn't double....it QUADRUPLES! Stopping distance is exponential to increases in speed.
Every cop I know won't bother stopping someone unless it's 15+mph over the limit...including myself. What it sounds like in here is some want NO speed enforcement or penalty whatsoever. Give me a break. Put that secenario into effect and see how safe the roads are.
What would you who oppose giving speeding tickets/penalties/fines suggest that officer do seeing someone drive 87 mph in a 55 mph zone. Ignore it? Stop and "talk to him"...for what? He knows it's illegal so that's a waste of time. For every person who complains about "quotas" (which are considered illigal in a lot of states including mine), or "revenue generators" there's another person who's had someone killed on a highway or secondary road due to someone's recklessness or high speed. Ever see those makeshift roadside memorials next-of-kin construct such as a cross surrounded by freshly cut flowers? That should give you some pause. Those are the same people who call up and complain about all the speeders on their road and demand more enforcement. Let me assure you guys death is REAL and seeing this stuff up close and personal puts a different perspective on one's driving habits.
I'd like to hear some honest solutions instead of nit-picky complaints like the Democratic party is so good at doing. Keep in mind that new inexperienced drivers are statistically extremely more prone to crashes....
Granted, there are some jurisdictions who abuse their power and/or set up speed traps however I don't believe that's the norm and just another stereotype.
The simple fact is that SPEEDING KILLS people. When your speed doubles from 30mph to 60mph your required stopping distance doesn't double....it QUADRUPLES! Stopping distance is exponential to increases in speed.
Every cop I know won't bother stopping someone unless it's 15+mph over the limit...including myself. What it sounds like in here is some want NO speed enforcement or penalty whatsoever. Give me a break. Put that secenario into effect and see how safe the roads are.
What would you who oppose giving speeding tickets/penalties/fines suggest that officer do seeing someone drive 87 mph in a 55 mph zone. Ignore it? Stop and "talk to him"...for what? He knows it's illegal so that's a waste of time. For every person who complains about "quotas" (which are considered illigal in a lot of states including mine), or "revenue generators" there's another person who's had someone killed on a highway or secondary road due to someone's recklessness or high speed. Ever see those makeshift roadside memorials next-of-kin construct such as a cross surrounded by freshly cut flowers? That should give you some pause. Those are the same people who call up and complain about all the speeders on their road and demand more enforcement. Let me assure you guys death is REAL and seeing this stuff up close and personal puts a different perspective on one's driving habits.
I'd like to hear some honest solutions instead of nit-picky complaints like the Democratic party is so good at doing. Keep in mind that new inexperienced drivers are statistically extremely more prone to crashes....
- Joined
- May 28, 2001
- Messages
- 16,606
Jail time well spent!
While you are in jail, perhaps you could sign up for English & grammar 101!!! Don't just waste the time there, get something in return!!
While you are in jail, perhaps you could sign up for English & grammar 101!!! Don't just waste the time there, get something in return!!
glad to see you got off relitively easly, $100 isnt' bad but how many points did they take off? and have fun with your new insurence premeium but i'd say your pretty lucky.
and as for quotas, colorado DOES have them. the last weekend of every month you can go down any big highway (i-25 being the worst) and see speed traps set up probably every 15 miles. you can usually expect to see a person pulled over every 3-4 miles too. that is wrong... if the cops would do their job throught the month looking the the big violators, like you said, 15 over they wouldnt' have to pull everyone over on the last day of the month. we need more GOOD cops!
but i'd say your pretty lucky.and as for quotas, colorado DOES have them. the last weekend of every month you can go down any big highway (i-25 being the worst) and see speed traps set up probably every 15 miles. you can usually expect to see a person pulled over every 3-4 miles too. that is wrong... if the cops would do their job throught the month looking the the big violators, like you said, 15 over they wouldnt' have to pull everyone over on the last day of the month. we need more GOOD cops!
When it's all said and done,what's wrong with paying a ticket off-- if you know you were guilty. I'll pay higher insurance rates just so I'm not contibuting to the bank account of a lawyer. If the ticket was completely bogus that's different. NOT like that completely deranged woman from Ohio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pat Adkins
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2003
- Messages
- 987
I think they should eliminate all speed limits & all traffic lights for a year. we could call it "population control" bonus would be that
unemployment rate would be zero after a bunch of idiots killed themselves. It would also eliminate most of the bad drivers
unemployment rate would be zero after a bunch of idiots killed themselves. It would also eliminate most of the bad drivers
The Radius Kid
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2002
- Messages
- 2,596
Originally posted by equalizer442
a small update on the ticket i went to court 2 days ago and sence ive been on a lazy streak ever sence one of my moms emails to a friend will sum it up
The original trial was to be today at 10. Our lawyer said that since we had an attorney it would automatically be bumped back to 11 ... but to meet him at the courthouse at 10:30 so that he could go over the case with us and speak to Naomi.
We walked in at 10:25. The bailiff told us that we were late and that the police officer was about to be dismissed! My heart stopped.
I told him that we had been told that our case wouldn't be heard before 11. He told us to go on into the courtroom and if they called our case to tell them we were there but our lawyer wasn't. Said they would hold it over until the lawyer showed up.
So ... I sent everyone else in with instructions on what to do if Ronald was called ... hoping they wouldn't screw THAT up ... and waited in the hall for our lawyer.
He showed up right at 10:30 but didn't want to disrupt the court by pulling us all back out ... so we had to go in without talking about anything. So ... I had no idea what was about to happen.
The case they were hearing was a guy just a couple of years older than Ronald. Charge was the same ... reckless driving ... but he'd been going MUCH slower than Ronald had.
This guy had a lawyer with him. He got a lecture and a half from the judge. Had me trembling! The charges were reduced to speeding ... but he lost his permit for a year and was fined $500 and given a years probation.
I about pooped!
Ronald was the next case. First thing the judge did was to refuse to drop the reckless down to speeding. Because of the miles of hour over the limit. I just knew he'd had it!
The police testified as to what had happened ... and said that Ronald had been very polite and cooperative with him.
Then Ronald testified. Then Naomi. Then the lawyer asked a few questions. Pointed out his -- until this point -- good driving record and talked about his schooling. Also did a good job of pointing out that while he was speeding ... it was to get to church on time. He wasn't out drag racing or thrill riding like most kids his age are doing when caught.
Then the DA bitch got to talk. She was a total BITCH. Told the judge she wanted his permit to be revoked for a year with no qualifications (driving to work or school) and the maximum fine.
Once again ... I thought I would just pooh!
First thing the judge says is ... I'm charging you with reckless driving. Your insurance is going to go up and you are just going to have to deal with that.
My heart stopped.
Then ... he said ... I'm taking your permit for 30 days ... IF you have no more problems within the next year. If no problems you may continue to drive.
And then he said ... I'm fining you $300. $200 to be suspended if there are no problems within the next year!
So ... we walked out paying a $100 fine and $64 court costs! With his permit!
What did I tell you?
The truth shall set you free.
Next time,leave for church earlier.
bakerlaw67
BQQSTED
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2002
- Messages
- 160
I'm a prosecutor on an Indian reservation here in AZ, but was a prosecutor in Peoria, IL for almost 4 years. The thing about traffic violations is that the prosecutor GENERALLY doesn't care. While the speed in this case might raise my eyebrow, the priors do NOT support jail. I think the "bitch" DA was a) doing her job; b)trying to make a point that the punishment COULD be VERY severe; c) both. Traffic prosecutors know their judges and know what they can get away with, and judges know what their prosecutor is doing when they "puff" like that. She had to know by the case that preceeded that
DOn't forget, in general, even if cops have quotas, the DA doesn't. They are trying to send a message to the violator and all the poor saps in the courtroom that violating the law MAY have significant consequences. The violator here got a decent fine, a BIG bump to his insurance (if he has any anymore), missed school or work, and no chance of leniency in the future. I figure all that in when I make a plea offer. If he learned, in 3 or 4 years, all will be good. If he didn't... well he was warned, and it will be REALLY bad for him in the future.
DOn't forget, in general, even if cops have quotas, the DA doesn't. They are trying to send a message to the violator and all the poor saps in the courtroom that violating the law MAY have significant consequences. The violator here got a decent fine, a BIG bump to his insurance (if he has any anymore), missed school or work, and no chance of leniency in the future. I figure all that in when I make a plea offer. If he learned, in 3 or 4 years, all will be good. If he didn't... well he was warned, and it will be REALLY bad for him in the future.
bakerlaw67
BQQSTED
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2002
- Messages
- 160
Oh yeah. A few tips here:
1) "Everybody was speeding" aka flow of traffic DOES NOT WORK! Everyone DOES speed, but you got caught. Take the ticket, and pay it (after trying to deal it down with the prosecutor and the judge). Why do people refuse to accept responsibility for what they do just because others get away with it? Should you get off for murder because OJ did? You might even ask the judge if you can plead guilty with an explanation or the ability to present "mitigating factors" for sentencing.
2) If you are going to trial because radar said 61 mph and you KNOW you were only going 58 (in a 45) start writing the check. You would be better off just talking to the prosecutor about pleading guilty to the lower speed (if it matters for the conviction) and paying the higher fine. I'd do it in a heartbeat to avoid a trial that I KNOW I'm going to win.
3) You are generally presumed guilty after the cop testifies. Unless you can attack his credibility, you lose!
4) Everybody DOES speed, myself included. I consider tickets a tax for the privilege of driving fast. If I get caught, I work it out. If you average the number of times you speed and the number of tickets you get, it comes down to a VERY LOW cost. Isn't it fair to pay a few bucks a month to drive fast? And the nice thing is that if you get caught a lot, you know are abusing the privilege!
1) "Everybody was speeding" aka flow of traffic DOES NOT WORK! Everyone DOES speed, but you got caught. Take the ticket, and pay it (after trying to deal it down with the prosecutor and the judge). Why do people refuse to accept responsibility for what they do just because others get away with it? Should you get off for murder because OJ did? You might even ask the judge if you can plead guilty with an explanation or the ability to present "mitigating factors" for sentencing.
2) If you are going to trial because radar said 61 mph and you KNOW you were only going 58 (in a 45) start writing the check. You would be better off just talking to the prosecutor about pleading guilty to the lower speed (if it matters for the conviction) and paying the higher fine. I'd do it in a heartbeat to avoid a trial that I KNOW I'm going to win.
3) You are generally presumed guilty after the cop testifies. Unless you can attack his credibility, you lose!
4) Everybody DOES speed, myself included. I consider tickets a tax for the privilege of driving fast. If I get caught, I work it out. If you average the number of times you speed and the number of tickets you get, it comes down to a VERY LOW cost. Isn't it fair to pay a few bucks a month to drive fast? And the nice thing is that if you get caught a lot, you know are abusing the privilege!
TurboTer
Zap! Commander
- Joined
- May 24, 2001
- Messages
- 1,578
I think one way to compromise and make both sides happy is to eliminate the dreaded points system entirely. If you're cought speeding, get a $55 ticket, pay it, and that's it. No points, and never a suspended license. Ahh, that would be my fantasy, but it'll never happen because great things like that can only happen in a free country.
A friend of mine lives in the Great White North, they do not pretend that they are doing the public a service by writing speeding tickets. They do target high accident and school zones with on duty officers.
The rest of the time they use photo radar and they ticket the car not the driver thus just a fine and no points on your permit. He figures he gets 2 to 3 a year, just the price to drive fast.
