Okay friends, I need some opinions and maybe a hug re: traffic court...

[grace0418]

This is an odd one. A month or two ago, I left work a bit early to meet my husband. He had a doctor's appointment and then we were having an early dinner before going to a concert. I was late and wasn't paying attention when I got stopped by a cop for speeding. 48 in a 35. Okay no big deal. I have a completely clean record so while I was waiting for him to write up the ticket I decided I'd just go to traffic school and be done with it.

Then the cop came back, gave me my ticket, suggested I go to traffic school, told me to slow down, etc. Just as he was about to turn away and walk back to his car he stopped and asked "Why is your hand shaking?" in a very ominous voice. I panicked. In that split second I had visions of being dragged out of my car to complete a sobriety test or some other awful humiliation. Why didn't I just say "I guess I'm a bit nervous, I've never been given a ticket before" or something to that effect? I have NO effing idea. Instead, what I did say was "My husband is at the doctor and I'm worried about him." Not entirely untrue of course, but not exactly true either. I just wanted him to let me go on my way without further questioning and that's what came out of my mouth.

The cop paused, looked at me, and said "Well WHY didn't you tell me that?! I wouldn't have given you a ticket! You see, I had a brain aneurysm and my wife took such good care of me, so I am very sympathetic." I replied that I wasn't trying to get out of the ticket since I was indeed speeding, I was just trying to explain why I was nervous. So he said "Forget traffic school. Take the court date. I'll tell them what happened."

I was too stunned to say anything so I thanked him and drove off. Now my court date is approaching (Thursday) and I'm getting really nervous. I hated the fact that I had to plead not guilty just to get the court date. I was indeed speeding. And I don't want to lie in a court of law. Not because I could get caught (my husband really was at the doctor that day), it's just the principle. I don't really want to have to explain all this in the court, either. I wish I could just say "I changed my mind, please just let me go to traffic school."

Can you even do that? If I go through with this charade and the judge is unsympathetic, is there any way to go to traffic school at that point? I don't want this on my record if I can help it. Am I making too much out of this?

[taterguy]

1. It depends on where you live

All traffic court rules vary depending on the location so there's not enough info in your OP for anyone to possibly have an informed opinion.

[MissMillie]

2. I have a feeling the cop knows the court pretty well

he wouldn't have made the suggestion he made if he thought there was even a remove possibility that it would turn out bad for you.

Take his suggestion. Go to court. He'll either show up and speak to your nervousness and help you, or he won't show and you'll end up getting off anyway.

[grace0418]

5. Thanks MissMillie.

I am hoping he just doesn't show up. But if he does, I hope they have him speak first. If they ask me to speak first I'm going to have no idea what to say.

[Courtesy Flush]

7. I can't imagine he would show up

Court already takes up too much of his time. Why would he show up to NOT argue the case? He probably won't go.

Even so, if you just show up, plead guilty and accept the consequences, you'll be where you should have been to start with.

[pitohui]

10. that is olden times, they schedule it so officers DO show up these days

the officer will show up, that isn't the problem, they will schedule case after case of his for the same day so he can show up and take of business all at once

i agree w. the advice of others to bring receipt about husband's doctor appt. showing the date to back up her story of why she was hurrying --- this would be needed in the off chance the officer doesn't remember HER case since he will be dealing with so many others, i don't know how good his notes are

i suspect it will work out fine as long as she can show that she was in fact worried about her hubby's doctor visit

[grace0418]

12. I got the feeling he would show up based on what he said to me.

I just hope he speaks first so I can get a sense of whether or not he remembers the conversation. I don't want to have to say "Well, I *was* speeding but Officer X told me to come to court and he would handle it." I doubt that would go over too well. :)

[snappyturtle]

3. It's nice to know there's a sympathetic officer

out there. Look at it this way: accepting the oficer's help makes HIM feel good.....you're obviously not a habitual speeder so........really I'd do this to reinforce the officer's civility because I've known many who are too far removed and act accordingly to the general populace.

[grace0418]

4. Thanks snappyturtle. He was *very* nice, even before I told the little fib.

I think that's what made his tone so startling when he asked why my hand was shaking, because the rest of the time he was very pleasant and polite. I have nothing but good things to say about him, and maybe that's what threw me off! LOL! Just kidding.

Actually I am a total leadfoot, I just never got caught before. ;) And on that stretch of road, NOBODY goes the speed limit. It's just recently that the cops have been cracking down. In my department at work, 5 of us have gotten speeding tickets in the last couple of months.

[JoDog]

6. Cops often are allowed to use discretion

when writing speeding tickets. That's why they will usually ask if you knew you were speeding or if there was any reason why you were speeding. If the driver was trying to get to the doctor or a family member in trouble and wasn't causing an overt danger to others, they will not issue the ticket. Depending on where you're at or the volume of traffic, they will remind you to drive more carefully, offer to call an ambulance, or escort you if it is a short way to your destination.

This makes the cops feel better about doing a job that is largely thankless. It also keeps cases that are likely to be dismissed anyway out of the court, saving time and money.

Go ahead and go to court. If you can get proof that your husband was at the doctor (a receipt for his co-pay, a prescription that was written on that day, or a letter from the doctor or his secretary varifying that he made his appointment that day) so much the better. Give the cop a chance to be the good guy he is.

[grace0418]

8. Good idea. I'll see if I can dig up the bill from that visit. I *think* it lists the date

of the appointment. Thanks JoDog!

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. You sound nervous enough about it all that you'll probably be shaking in court, too

Let it ride.

Don't beat yourself up/worry yourself to pieces over this.

Go with the flow when you go to court.

And, good advice to take the dated doc bill in with you to court.

:hi:

[grace0418]

11. Thanks Whoa_Nelly!

I'll try not to worry. I just have no idea what to expect or say. I've never step foot in a court of any kind. Never even been called for jury duty.

:hi:

[Whoa_Nelly]

14. Just listen well

and answer, "Yes, Sir.", and "No, Sir", and answer anything else with just the facts. Hopefully, the cop will choose to, or will have to be the one, to speak first. That alone will make things even easier.

Good luck! Post after your court date and let us know how it all went! :hug:

[grace0418]

15. I will. It's Thursday morning, so hopefully it will all be fine.

Mostly I just don't want our insurance rates to go through the roof. Especially these days where insurance companies just drop people for the dumbest reasons.

Thanks again!

[skygazer]

13. First of all, you're not lying

Your husband was at the doctor. You were nervous. You were distracted. Maybe not for that particular reason but all those things are true.

Take the gift as what it is - a nice gesture on the part of a good cop. And slow the heck down!! :spank:

[grace0418]

17. Thanks skygazer!

I can't guarantee I'll slow down much (my little Civic is just too zippy, she doesn't like to drive 35), but I needed the support! :)

[JVS]

16. He knew you were fibbing and is trying to set you up for perjury

cops get a commission for every month a person spends in prison. He knew that if he gave you enough rope, you'd hang yourself in this matter.

Only a tearful courtroom confession can prevent your incarceration and even that depends on the court being merciful.

[grace0418]

18. Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh!

Are you trying to freak me out?

:)

[grace0418]

19. I found the bill! YAY!

Tomorrow morning is the court date, and I found a copy of that doctor's bill. I made two copies and will bring them with me tomorrow. Wish me luck!

[grace0418]

20. ****UPDATE****

Four months supervision and a fine. Thank goodness for that! And I didn't even have to say anything. I probably could have gotten out of the fine if I did the whole song and dance, but it was never my intention to get out of the ticket. So I feel good. Thanks for all your advice!

[MissMillie]

21. did the cop show?

did he speak on your behalf?

does paying the small fine and staying clean for 4 months mean your record will be clear afterwards?

[grace0418]

22. He did show but I ended up being able to choose supervision without a trial.

So he didn't even have to speak on my behalf. If I chose, I could've taken the whole trial, done the song and dance, and saved myself the fine (*maybe*). Instead, it seemed worth it to pay the fine, which is better than having to sit in traffic school.

And yes, after 4 months, my record is clean. Shouldn't be a problem. I went 36 years without a ticket, I should be able to avoid one for 4 months. Now that I said that, of course... :)