PastorDave Gets A Traffic Ticket (or 2)
It happens every so often, part of the price to be paid for living in a metro area and driving lots of miles. Usually I’m guilty, even if it seems everybody else does it and never gets caught. It is no fun for the wallet, and especially for the insurance premiums. All I can do is grit my teeth and take my medicine.
But I’m thinking, “Not this time!”
I picked up my son from High School, and he had to be at work within the hour. He works at Chick-fil-A- I consider to be a great place for a kid to work. The school traffic is always horrendous. Lots of teenagers with heavy SUV’s and pickup trucks and shiny vehicles I’ve never been able to afford, driving like they have no fear of death or respect for the other guy. Parents like me, just trying to survive the journey. And, of course, the ever-present international still discerning which side of the road to drive. I take my familiar route and turn to make it to the 4-way stop, when I spot the officer in a parking lot about 200 feet down the road. He is signaling for me to pull into the lot. Actually he instructs for me to pull next to a car that is backing out, and should I follow his directions I will be hit. I delay following his directions until the car is out of the way. The he leisurely strolls up to my car.
One time I told such an officer that I understood, that he was just doing his job. Not this guy. He asked me to roll down my window and told me that I had committed two infractions. One, my passenger was not wearing his seatbelt. Sure enough, to my surprise, he was right. I almost always make sure my riders are buckled up, but this time I had forgotten. I had been so involved showing Brock my new watch- a Timex Indiglo, $24.95. So, guilty, I admit. I’m thinking my son is old enough, at 16, to know to buckle up. Therefore, I’m thinking he will pay the fine. But, the libertarian in me believes the government has no business forcing a citizen to wear a restraint belt, or helmet. I don’t guess I’ll plead that case in court!
And, he said I slow-rolled the stop sign. I said, incredulously, “What?” He explained that the two cars in front of me stopped, but I did not. I objected. I am sure I stopped. I gave him some words of objection, and insisted that he indicate that I disagree with his analysis on the ticket. I was not happy. Now, 6 hours later, I still am not happy.
I am considering, seriously, showing up in court on January 31 and pleading my innocence before the judge. I believe the officer is mistaken. His view was at a disadvantage. I feel I can research the issue, take some photographs of the area and perhaps draw some diagrams, ask the officer some questions which may cast doubt on the validity of his observations, and try to beat the case. Maybe, just maybe, the officer will not show up for court and my case will be dismissed. I could even ask for a postponement of my hearing, and reschedule for a date when he would be most likely to be absent. Who knows. I feel it would be a learning experience, and the worst I would have to do is pay the fine anyhow.
What do you think; am I wasting my time? Should I as a Christian and pastor do this, or just acquiesce to the ticket? Am I being a good citizen by exercising my right to plead my case? Would Jesus pay a ticket for a crime he did not commit? What would you do?
12.01.05 (6:33 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
12.01.05 (3:54 pm)
As a Christian? I don't know, it's irrelevant. But as an honest guy, if you stopped? Don't pay the ticket. Fight it.
Jesus always wears his seatbelt, but he doesn't drive - the lazy good for noth...
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.01.05 (4:17 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
I think you should share with us another personal encounter with Jesus.
I've been with others when they had to go to court. One church member, I remember, shot a guy and faced trial for murder. I was a character witness on his behalf, and found the trial to be fascinating. He was found not guilty.
I'm thinking this matter boils down to my word against his, and I imagine the judge will side with the officer. If I could effectively cast some doubt on his recollection of the events, then I have a chance.
posted by:
preceptlady (
reply)
post date:
12.01.05 (4:17 pm)
There is an "unwritten" rule in the Metro Atlanta area PD. Law enforcement officials are never wrong.
If you plead guilty to the seat belt offense, how will the judge ever believed you stopped at the stop sign?
Were there camera's at this intersection?
I'm thinking submit to the authorities...pay the fine. Who knows, the watch may have been on your mind and not the stop sign. Rolling through is so easy to do.
Even when He was accused when He had done no wrong, He uttered nothing in return.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.01.05 (4:25 pm)
Reply to: preceptlady
Interesting. And I appreciate the alternative opinion. No cameras, as far as I know. I am just so irritated by this matter. I'll certainly pray about it, for several days. And seek advice from others, as I am doing now. I a few days, I should get a settled peace about what to do. That's usually how things work with me.
Have you ever gotten a traffic ticket you felt you did not deserve, and how did you handle it?
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
12.01.05 (4:32 pm)
Your son was in the car. He's tell the truth.
Jesus is spending the holidays with me... he'll be giving "his" (okay, okay) perspective from around the 20th through the end of the year. Any ideas for "discussion" would be greatly appreciated. I've started working on a few of the posts and I'm really looking forward to it...but believe me, it's a bunch of work.
posted by:
justinb (
reply)
post date:
12.02.05 (3:12 pm)
Yeh you should fight that one. u seem like a pretty honest guy. Hope all works out for ya.
posted by:
billyfreak27 (
reply)
post date:
12.02.05 (4:08 pm)
Mmkay, here's the deal.
We were just talking about this in Driver's Ed the other day so I've got good advice.
I would tell you to go to court but I wont.
Because this cop came to our class and he said that every time a person goes to court because of a car thing that happened on the road, they lose.
Because the most of the time, the judge is not gonna listen to you b/c the cop must've had a good reason to give you the ticket. And, the judge knows the cop pretty well and they both know that the cop is right, even if you think he isn't.
My teacher, who is also a cop, said that 99.999% of the time in court, if you try to argue, dont waste your breath, b/c they're gonna say youre guilty no matter what.
Thats just what I think, accoadring to what I've heard.
x3
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.02.05 (4:51 pm)
Reply to: billyfreak27
That's pretty discouraging. You know, sometimes for the sake of your own peace, it is worth making the effort and giving it your best even when you know you will most likely lose. Still, my time is worth something. I'm leaning toward going to court and giving it my best. Today I retraced the route, and confirmed in my mind that I indeed did stop.
Thanks for your insights.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.02.05 (4:53 pm)
Reply to: justinb
Appreciate that. The judge will not know if I am a person of character or not, unless I can convey such during my few minutes lin front of her. I guess I'll wear a suit, and be on my best behavior, and try to speak with as much proper grammar as possible. We will see!
posted by:
mercurysoul (
reply)
post date:
12.05.05 (3:05 pm)
You should at least show up and plead your case. What harm could it do? I used to live in the atlanta area (norcross) and know that if you at least show up they will reduce your fine.
posted by:
tweetyb (
reply)
post date:
12.05.05 (3:53 pm)
As a christian am not sure. However the bible does say if you are slapped on one chick, give the other. But then again am a firm believer of fighting for what is right. If you truley stopped, give it a shot. Who knows you just might win.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.05.05 (4:17 pm)
Reply to: mercurysoul
I get a ticket about once per year. My last ticket was in Norcross. I was guilty, no need to protest. This time, the policeman is mistaken. I think I'll give it a try.
I thought everybody was moving to Atlanta. Where are you now?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.05.05 (4:20 pm)
Reply to: tweetyb
I think turning the other cheeck has to do with being vengeful. I'm not wanting to inflict harm on this officer. He was just doing his job, although I think a little too agressively. He just made a mistake of judgment. I'm wondering if the court will give me a fair hearing. Right now my intent is to find out.
Ever gotten a ticket?
posted by:
tweetyb (
reply)
post date:
12.05.05 (5:34 pm)
oh yah I got a ticket once and paid $150 in fines. I think you should give it a shot in court.
posted by:
sal (
reply)
post date:
01.24.06 (10:53 am)
You should always appear to defend yourself if you are innocent and state the facts to the best of your ability. Law officers are human too, make mistakes and sometimes are willing to let you off even in court, depends on his ego. Prayer moves mountains and so can even affect cops ego....so we will pray.
posted by:
danielmacdonald (
reply)
post date:
03.10.06 (3:16 pm)
Good going Dave you lucky they didnt take you out and lench you lol. you won over the cop good going.
Dam
posted by:
Robin (
reply)
post date:
05.28.07 (4:41 am)
So what happened with the ticket?!?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.28.07 (5:49 am)
Reply to: Robin
There is another post, in here somewhere, that tells the rest of the story. I went to court. There were a hundred other people present to face justice for various similar misdemeanors. All of us first had to sit down in a small cubicle with the DA and his cohorts, who strongly urged plea bargains. Without fail everybody took the deal. To me, he offered to forego "points" on my driving record if I would simply plead guilty and pay the fine. There were officers sitting around him, watching, and I was nervous. I thought, and then told him no, that I would just take my chance with the judge. He noticed I had a notebook and photographs, and said something disdainful about such tactics. I told him we would just have to wait and see. So I went back to sit and wait. And wait. After several hours, I was called to the front before the judge. My accusing officer was not present. The judge asked his whereabouts, and the DA said he had been served a subpoena. The judge asked what I would plead. "Not guilty." The judge looked at me, asked if I would like to make a motion for dismissal? "I move for dismissal" I said nervously. He rapped his gavel, "Case dismissed." The DA had known the officer was not present, and was still trying to get me to plead guilty and pay a $90 fine. I do not appreciate that. But I'm glad justice was served. It was a good experience. I feel sorry for all those citizens who just cannot spend a day in court fighting a $90 fine, and thus do not experience justice. The officer in question should have had enough respect for the justice system and for those he so summarily accuses of breaking the law to show up in court to face them. He does not have my respect.
Thanks for reading. Stick around, read some more.
