Court!

[ucantcme]

My court date is on Wednesday next week and I'm going to be stressing up until then.

This is what I want to happen:
Police officer does NOT show up in court - ticket is dismissed.

This is what I DO NOT want to happen:
Police officer shows up in court.


Can I:

If the officer is there, can I just chicken out and pay the damn thing? I really do not want to argue against what I did because I know it was wrong. I guess I'm only afraid of making myself look like a fool in front of a bunch of people.

Any suggestions?

(Btw - Do not start the whole "If you did the crime, Do the time" or "You deserved it, Pay for it" speech. I'm just looking for some FRIENDLY suggestions as to what YOU would do!)

[air4cefamily]

I say go, odds are if youre in a big city, and it was a city cop, he wont be there. If he does show up you arent out anything. Ive had it go both ways personally. Kind of a weird feeling, but the cop who showed up was cool, and laughed and said he almost didnt show up. Let us know how it goes. Oh yeah, if you did the crime do the time lol.

[cleverklutz]

I've heard of guys trying to fight their tickets and it not turning out great. Sometimes the best way is just plead guilty, pay your fine, and be done. Not the most fun thing, but it might work the best.

Ben

[air4cefamily]

youre not going to get in more trouble for fighting it. go for it

[CREWZIN]

All the citations the officer issues in a set period of time (say 3 months) are given the same court date. He's not coming to court just for you and he does get paid so he's more than likely to show up.

If you were hoping that he wouldn't show, you should have gone to court and came up with a real good excuse why you wouldn't be there and ask for a postponement and hope he wouldn't show up on that new date. The officers only go to court every couple months and on special occasions. At least that's the way it works here.

Go to court, dress nice, be polite, explain what happened. Even though the traffic judge has or can see/get your driving record in an instant, tell him about your clean record (if you have one) and apologize for your behavior.

Some might look at this and say that it's demeaning to do the above but if your looking for leniency from the court you gotta play by the rules.

[morrises]

what did you do? was this the thing with the work truck? and not knowing you could be in a certain lane?

[digitalpinscruiser]

Well in here NYC I fought two tickets the first was a speeding ticket and I got one of those cheap traffic ticket lawyers and then was in court waiting to be called hoping the officer would not show up but he did. He told his side and then I told my side of the story but the judge reduced the ticket. Meaning he reduced the points (no points on my license) and he reduced the fee.

Now the second ticket the cop claimed I ran a stop sign which I clearly did not. Again I got a lawyer even took photos of the stop sign and where the cops were sitting. The cop showed up and lol would you believe he says to the judge I cannot remember giving the ticket. Haha the judge throws the ticket out and I go home.

[bobs turbo pt]

i had this same thing happen to me

The cop showed up and lol would you believe he says to the judge I cannot remember giving the ticket. Haha the judge throws the ticket out and I go home

[ucantcme]

Originally Posted by air4cefamily

I say go, odds are if youre in a big city, and it was a city cop, he wont be there. If he does show up you arent out anything. Ive had it go both ways personally. Kind of a weird feeling, but the cop who showed up was cool, and laughed and said he almost didnt show up. Let us know how it goes. Oh yeah, if you did the crime do the time lol.

It was a state cop, a lot of people say that state cops are too busy to attend court unless they have a real reason to be there. Yeah, Yeah "Do the time blah blah" lol

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

All the citations the officer issues in a set period of time (say 3 months) are given the same court date. He's not coming to court just for you and he does get paid so he's more than likely to show up.

If you were hoping that he wouldn't show, you should have gone to court and came up with a real good excuse why you wouldn't be there and ask for a postponement and hope he wouldn't show up on that new date. The officers only go to court every couple months and on special occasions. At least that's the way it works here.

Go to court, dress nice, be polite, explain what happened. Even though the traffic judge has or can see/get your driving record in an instant, tell him about your clean record (if you have one) and apologize for your behavior.

Some might look at this and say that it's demeaning to do the above but if your looking for leniency from the court you gotta play by the rules.

Not a clean record, but maybe by saying I do, they won't check?? Nah, I wouldn't lie in court

Originally Posted by morrises

what did you do? was this the thing with the work truck? and not knowing you could be in a certain lane?

Yup, the work truck ticket...Speeding (74/55 only wrote me for 60/55) and being in the left hand lane w/ a box truck.

Originally Posted by bobs turbo pt

i had this same thing happen to me

The cop showed up and lol would you believe he says to the judge I cannot remember giving the ticket. Haha the judge throws the ticket out and I go home

I was nice to him, hopefully he doesn't remember me





Thanks everyone for your replies!!

[soonercruiser]

Just simply stated.... "make your case", but don't be mad!!