So..... I had to go to traffic court. I'd start off by explaining why I was there, but it's a long story. Essentially I was told I had an expired license that didn't exist. At first I thought it was identity theft, and then I realized everyone's a moron. I'm not quite sure if I should be relieved.
Anyhow, I was terribly nervous. I'd never been to court before and I was picturing something out of Law & Order: palatial courtrooms with marble floors, stern judges and silence that echoes when not broken by my cracking voice.
What I got was the equivalent of the free clinic. A mile long line herding all of us into one room where we're herded some more. I'd swear I heard someone moo.
The characters throughout this whole ordeal were fascinating! The alcoholic who was there for an open container charge already had beer on his breath at 9 am. The obnoxious girl who just wants to fight (and ended up leaving and missing her appearance before the judge). The mothers with children, the teens whose parents came to fight for them, the immigrants who needed a court translator. The convicts who were quickly shuffled back to jail.
Probably the most interesting thing to me was that I seemed over-dressed. I knew that one must dress with respect to the court, so I put on my nicest outfit, which I feared was not nice enough. Once I arrived I realized the only people dressed up were the lawyers and one or two teenagers whose parents picked out their clothes.
I can't help but think it helped my case.
The judge ended up dismissing my charge and even a ticket I had already paid (to be sent back to me in the mail). Not only did I avoid court costs, but they gave me money! I had a quick vision of the few remaining citizens tearing me limb from limb, since no one else got such a deal.
The court clerk told me I was free to go, but I barely heard her; I was already out the door, looking forward to some lunch at Chick-Fil-A.
Hopefully I'll never ever have to do this again.
Anyhow, I was terribly nervous. I'd never been to court before and I was picturing something out of Law & Order: palatial courtrooms with marble floors, stern judges and silence that echoes when not broken by my cracking voice.
What I got was the equivalent of the free clinic. A mile long line herding all of us into one room where we're herded some more. I'd swear I heard someone moo.
The characters throughout this whole ordeal were fascinating! The alcoholic who was there for an open container charge already had beer on his breath at 9 am. The obnoxious girl who just wants to fight (and ended up leaving and missing her appearance before the judge). The mothers with children, the teens whose parents came to fight for them, the immigrants who needed a court translator. The convicts who were quickly shuffled back to jail.
Probably the most interesting thing to me was that I seemed over-dressed. I knew that one must dress with respect to the court, so I put on my nicest outfit, which I feared was not nice enough. Once I arrived I realized the only people dressed up were the lawyers and one or two teenagers whose parents picked out their clothes.
I can't help but think it helped my case.
The judge ended up dismissing my charge and even a ticket I had already paid (to be sent back to me in the mail). Not only did I avoid court costs, but they gave me money! I had a quick vision of the few remaining citizens tearing me limb from limb, since no one else got such a deal.
The court clerk told me I was free to go, but I barely heard her; I was already out the door, looking forward to some lunch at Chick-Fil-A.
Hopefully I'll never ever have to do this again.
6 comments:
Heehee! I've never had to go, but at least it won't be as bad as I've imagined! Yay for money!
Aaargh... traffic court! Looks like you came out ahead, though. Way to go!
LOL I have been to traffic court and it is rather ammusing!
hahahah!!! Congrats on that! OMG, my fiancé keeps telling me about Chick-Fil-A, I've never had any. Maybe when we are NC in April. He's going to be jealous that you had that today :P
w00tw00t! ;)
lucky you!
WHAT??? THEY gave YOU money??? Now that is a lucky day! I had a similar incident a few years ago without such a happy ending--my license WAS expired, unbeknownst to me and I ended up with a one-year suspension of driving priviliges an impounded vehicle and over $750 in fees!
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