Re: Prejudice

Tony wrote:
> "moto" <motownmoto@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:3607-433EA363-559@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Oh, about this Gal up front.
> > This 'Gal' says:
> > "You must PAY the whole fine as (like) a bond to _insure_ you showing
> > up"
> > WTF is that about?
> > If I paid the bond/ticket, what the hell difference does it make if I
> > showed or not.
> > Seems to me I already have (kinda) admitted guilt by paying. Right?
> >
> > I told her silly ass I wasn't payin' *** for a bogus ticket, and I
> > didn't happen to have the cash she/they wanted. She puts away her little
> > law book and tells me to come back next week and 'something' will havta
> > be worked out.
>
> I don't know where you are, but in California, when you recieve a ticket,
> the "fine" that you pay is actually BAIL that you post pending the actual
> hearing. Upon the hearing date, if you do not show up in court, they enter a
> guilty verdict automatically and you forfeit the bail as a fine. If you take
> the time to read through the code, you understand this - but most people
> don't take that time.
>
> Of course, I can't speak for the way it works in other states or countries -
> that's just California.


Ditto Maryland. Which is why the conventional wisdom sez (and I have
found) that if you show up in court reasonably well-groomed and
-dressed, and dispute the charge politely and without losing yer
temper, you will usually manage to get the fine and points reduced, if
not dismissed, because (1) the "fine" is actually a bond, not a
"mandatory sentence" so the judge has discretion, and (2) if you show
up to dispute the charge you are either legitimately indignant or, at a
minimum, sufficiently civic-conscious enough to take the time to take
part in the process. Judges like that.


-Richard, with Spirit
--

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Richard Hopley Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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