Lainey

I see your point, however is anyone ever really innocent of speeding? Rick got a ticket for going 48 in a 40. He WAS speeding. He had a clean record. He asked for a hearing, and someone we knew put in a good word. They tossed out the ticket.

So even if they toss out the ticket, or lower the fine by some kind of agreement, you've still taken up the court's time. $25.00 might be considered a bargain.

vader1

I think we had a similar attempt here to impose court fees but it was ruled as depriving the citizen of property without due process or something of that nature.

Sounds kind of heavy handed I am surprised that has not been struck down.

And if the cop testifies later, how do you get to cross examine? You have a right to question your accuser.

But don't listen to me. I am a nefarious individual. I got a disorderly conduct for flipping the bird to some lady tailgaiting the heck out of me and ened up with a check for about $1400 from our state patrol for the matter. Just call me a first amendment guy.

Legal Bill

It is a civil matter in Mass, not criminal. therefor they can charge.

Jet sitter

When I was transferred to Pittsburgh to take over the US Air office, the individual I replaced used to make (large) contribution's to the police fund. They called the office sometime's two or three times/day asking me to donate. I never did directly, but indirectly I was stopped on US Air property and given a ticket for runing a stop sign. I knew that I had not run the stop sign and I knew exactly why I was receiving a ticket. I did go to court, but to no avail. It cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of $200. before I was through. I could actually smell booze on the judge's breath.

vader1

Donations to the Minneapolis Police Federation (I don't know if this still goes on) used to get you a small sticker (I think it was an American flag) that you put on your back bumper which was your get out of a ticket free card depending on how serious the offense was, and the State Patrol had something similar but I was told it was a card you kept in your wallet.

My dad contributed to the police and got the sticker many years back. In retrospect I bet he wished he donated to the patrol.

paS2K

I saw parked next to a car recently that had a whole STRING of these pasted on the left edge of his rear window. "I supported the FOP- 2010" etc... I have always wanted to ask a State Trooper if they really give any credit to those stickers.

Maybe Sam, our retired OHIO State Trooper, is reading and will tip us off

RedY2KS2k

I don't see how anyone can use the term "justice system" in this context. "Legal system" sure, but "justice"?

mikegarrison

We can plead guilty, guilty but with an explanation, or not guilty.

If we plead guilty, we pay the fine and that's that.

Otherwise we can choose to have our hearing by mail or in court. If we have it by mail we send a letter to the court and the judge decides. If not, we get a court date.

If we plead guilty with an explanation, we sometimes (but not always) get the fine reduced. Otherwise we might be found guilty (and the fine might or might not get reduced) or innocent (in which case we pay nothing).

We do not have to pay any court costs if we are found innocent.