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DeKalb County traffic court stuff
Jan. 8th, 2004 03:13 pmWent to traffic court yesterday for allegedly going 70 in a 55 zone. Some notes for anyone who ends up there:
The date on your citation is not the trial date - it is only the arraignment. In other words, you can put in a plea (Not Guilty) but do not actually get to argue your case. After your plea, they give you a real trial date (about a month later, usually).
The judge for my appearance gave everyone who appeared the option of an automatic reduction. In my case, that meant reducing my speeding ticket to 60 in a 55 zone. This did not have any corresponding reduction in my fine, but meant there would be no points on my license. He did the same for people with other violations (running stop signs, etc.). They paid the full fine but got no points on their licenses.
Two surprises when I went to pay the fine:
1) The wait in line was an hour and forty-five minutes; and
2) The $110 fine I had been told I would have to pay increased to $130 by the time I got to the cashier's window. Apparently every previous moving violation you got in the previous three years adds $10 to your fine. Made me sorry I had agreed to the reduction - I think I had a strong case if I had pushed it.
Most surreal moment (out of several):
A couple was quietly kissing in the back of the court, about 10 feet from me. They were so quiet, I did not even notice they were kissing until the clerk screamed at them to leave the courtroom and then ordered the sheriffs to ensure they did not come back in. The male asked, "We're not allowed to show affection?" to which the clerk responded, "Not in court."
The date on your citation is not the trial date - it is only the arraignment. In other words, you can put in a plea (Not Guilty) but do not actually get to argue your case. After your plea, they give you a real trial date (about a month later, usually).
The judge for my appearance gave everyone who appeared the option of an automatic reduction. In my case, that meant reducing my speeding ticket to 60 in a 55 zone. This did not have any corresponding reduction in my fine, but meant there would be no points on my license. He did the same for people with other violations (running stop signs, etc.). They paid the full fine but got no points on their licenses.
Two surprises when I went to pay the fine:
1) The wait in line was an hour and forty-five minutes; and
2) The $110 fine I had been told I would have to pay increased to $130 by the time I got to the cashier's window. Apparently every previous moving violation you got in the previous three years adds $10 to your fine. Made me sorry I had agreed to the reduction - I think I had a strong case if I had pushed it.
Most surreal moment (out of several):
A couple was quietly kissing in the back of the court, about 10 feet from me. They were so quiet, I did not even notice they were kissing until the clerk screamed at them to leave the courtroom and then ordered the sheriffs to ensure they did not come back in. The male asked, "We're not allowed to show affection?" to which the clerk responded, "Not in court."
