Today I had my day in court. I worked a half day and then Dad picked me up and we drove down to Renton City Hall which contains the city courthouse.
My court summons required me to arrive at 1:30 but I had to wait for approximately 20 other cases before my case was heard. Although I was impatient to get done, I was thankful for a chance to see how the proceedings worked and to gauge the character of the judge. He seemed fair and generally lenient. Most of the cases went by very quickly.
When it came my turn to plead my case, I stated my desire to contest the ticket and explained how the accident occurred and how the police officer had misrepresented Dad’s and my testimony. He seemed skeptical and throughout the questioning process he seemed hostile to our case. I showed the pictures that Dad took following the accident and pointed out how they contradicted the information in the officer’s report. Dad, corroborated my story and together we tried to explain how the version of events as described in the officer’s report were impossible. Despite our evidence and clear examples of mistakes on the part of the officer, the judge continued to disagree with our explanation of what happened. After nearly an hour (much longer than any three of the previous cases) of questioning and testimony, the judge finally grew disgusted with the case and stating that he still believed that I was guilty, he dismissed my ticket due to contradictory evidence and general ambiguity.
I am elated that the whole affair is over. While hashing over the case with the judge I was terrified that he would issue a continuance, forcing me to appear again to face the police officer and city attorney. However it was only a partial victory. Despite dodging the ticket, I wasn’t vindicated. I had been hoping that the Judge would look at the police report and my evidence, recognize my innocence and repudiate my accuser. Notwithstanding this disappointment, I can still rest easy tonight knowing that for the first time in almost two months there is no ticket hanging over my head.
Congratulations~
Now the weight of worry is off your shoulders. You may not be vindicated with absolute belief of your innocence -but- your primary objective - getting the ticket removed - was accomplished.
How could the judge not believe your innocences?!Lame.
But, agreed. At least you don’t have the ticket anymore.
Sounds like a bitter sweet moment (at first I typed butter…?) but I’m glad it is all over and done with. Yay no tickets!
Hisashiburi!
I hate trafic court! I’m so glad that the ticked got thrown out.that judge sounds like (for lack of a better word) an ***…. I hope all is well otherwise. like steph said : yay no ticket!
I applaud your decision to state the case with facts and fortitude.
I chickened out once in my life, when ticketed for an accident that I believe I was not responsible for. I pleaded my case with the officer, but to no avail. I was too afraid to go before the judge. I knew I would get frustrated and probably would start crying. So, I didn’t plead my case.
I got over the bitterness of paying a ticket that I did not deserve, but life happens that way. My peace came from knowing the truth, whether the truth was accepted by another.