Traffic court vent

So for background - I had a C-section back in May (not planned) and was told I could not drive for several weeks. Unfortunately, my state inspection on my company car (not owned by me or DH) was due by the end of the same month. Well, we can only fit one car in our driveway so we put the more expensive car that we actually own in the driveway and company cars go in the street. So anyway, at like 2:15AM a cop stuck a parking ticket on my car when I had an appointment the same day to get my car inspected. Okay, not saying I wasn't wrong... car should have been put in the driveway until my no driving by doctor's orders was lifted and go have it inspected, not blaming the cop - he did his job. Just for background sake - DH could not legally get the car inspected for me at the time b/c my company had not processed the paperwork authorizing him to drive the car... I was the only authorized driver and I was busy working on being able to get out of bed at the time and DH had to work anyway.

So onto traffic court. I have no issue explaining my side of the story and showing proof that I had a doctor's note saying I was not allowed to drive as well as the reciept from the inspection showing the car passed. Here's where my issues arise:

1- A $15 administrative fee for waisting MY time. Gotta love that. My property taxes aren't enough for Nassau County I guess.

2- and this is the kicker... What's with all the REAL "moving violation" offenders getting off either scott free or on lowered charges? I'm not talking about parking tickets or failing to signal (which is just inconsiderate as well as potentially dangerous)... one woman got 2 tickets, first was for broken tail light, the other was for DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE! The clerk and judge lessened her fine. I was APPAULED. These are the same roads I hold my breath on around here when I take my 2.5 month old DD out in the car... which I try not to do b/c it's so terrifying what people do once in their car - men, women, kids and even the old people. Another man got a lowered fine for driving 30 over the speed limit (not a young guy) and another for talking on a cell phone (a woman). I mean, this is why it's so bad out there... they aren't hurting people where it hurts - in their wallets! I mean driving without a license isn't an innocent mistake. Driving 5-10 even 15 over the limit is fairly "normal" around here - but 30? - thats intentional If that person was in a 30 MPH zone he was going 60! I know I wouldn't want my kid crossing the street or riding her bike on these roads where lunatics are going 60... I just think that if people knew they'd have to pay hundreds of dollars they "may" think twice. Granted you'll always get your wackados who never learn.

I really wanted to write a letter to someone - but not sure who would care. So thanks for hearing me vent. It's just a shame that we pay all this tax money and I'm not sure what for when I see this stuff. I mean why bother why don't we just start firing guns into the air... they may miss hurting anyone like these drivers... or maybe one day their carelessness or lack of respect for the laws of the land will indeed kill someone. I just can't believe these judges drive on our roads and can sleep at night dismissing these things. Hope I'm not offending any judges or anyone else, this was my first experience in traffic court and it was eye opening.

Re: Traffic court vent

ITA! It's horrible how people can get their original tickets lowered.

I had a friend who led police on a chase b.c he was driving drunk. He crashed his truck on someone's front lawn and then led them on a foot chase. Was arrested spent the night in jail

He got it reduced to some kind of ticket and paid $200. In no way what my friend did was right, it makes me sick to my stomach that they did nothing to 'punish' him. He was laughing at the system..they didn't take his license, didn't impound his car...horrible just horrible

Re: Traffic court vent

Ugh!!!!

Meanwhile I get harassed by a S.hampton cop for 20 min because he insisted I was talking on my cell phone when I wasn't! When the only call that came in on my cell was one that he was standing right there listening it to it ring, he insisted I was driving around w/ my phone to my ear talking to no one!

I will probably have to pay the whole fine, while someone w/ a suspened license drives w/ a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and throws beer cans at the cop when he gets pulled over will get off scott free!

Re: Traffic court vent

You can send a letter to the Governor's office as well as to local congressmen. I agree,it is absolutely ridiculous that your ticket could not be reduced while these moving violations were reduced.

Re: Traffic court vent

unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle is supposed to have a hefty fine and if it's not the first time, the sentences get tougher. but how these things play out is another issue. it does stink that sometimes the lesser infractions get the worst punishment.

Re: Traffic court vent

What happens if she was driving w/out her license with her? Meaning, she left it at home...but has a valid license?

Re: Traffic court vent

I am guilty of getting a speeding ticket knocked down to a failure to singnal

I guess I am a horrible person- with a great lawyer

I love the American Justice System