Wellness

[violann]

On 3/20/2014 pachutabelle said: It's possible that the policeman will not show up and case will be dismissed. Didn't see original post but wish you well with this aggravation.

Actually it's pretty likely he won't show up, unless you look like a dangerous character needing to be disciplined.

[Cardamom]

On 3/20/2014 violann said:

On 3/20/2014 pachutabelle said: It's possible that the policeman will not show up and case will be dismissed. Didn't see original post but wish you well with this aggravation.

Actually it's pretty likely he won't show up, unless you look like a dangerous character needing to be disciplined.

That is what I thought. All my friends told me to go and that he probably would not be there. My heart sunk when I saw him so don't count on this OP. I think you are doing the right thing. Just pay it and move on. Don't beat yourself up. I rarely think of my incident. It's so insignificant!

[Lacey1]

Yes, pay it and forget it. Several years ago, I got a ticket for doing something that was certainly not my fault. It's too complicated to explain but the cop chose to be a real jerk, and pick on harmless me. He just must have been having a bad life and decided to bully me.

I was so upset as I am the most careful driver ever, and have NEVER gotten a ticket. In order to fight it, I would have had to call off work, go downtown, pay for parking, Yadda, Yadda, so I paid it. After a short time, I calmed down. Every time I go thru that intersection-I think about it-but it has lessened. Pay it, and forget it. Say a prayer for that crabby cop. You'll feel better! Have a blessed day!!!

[hckynut]

On 3/20/2014 emmiesmom said:

I called and talked to someone this morning and she told me I couldn't talk personally to a judge. If I want to plead not guilty, then I will have to go to trial. I am sure additional court costs would be applied. Also, the policeman in question would have to appear, along with any video evidence etc! I don't want to see him again or be put though this so it looks like I have to pay the fine. I thank all of you for your replies and kindness. I am so disappointed, especially after what the woman told me yesterday! But its not surprising~

That is what I had to do those many decades ago, along with going to jail and finger printed and all the other things mentioned in my other post. About the only difference between your issue and mine is "there was not video in past decades". The patrol officer in my case was there and at that time I think it was mandatory for him or the case would have been dismissed. Not sure if that is still the same or it could be different in different communities.

As I said in my other post, I would not say I was guilty of something I did not do. I also mentioned that it takes up a lot of time(in my case, some of it in a jail cell), but principle did and does mean a whole lot to me.

Whatever you feel is best for you, probably is the right thing to do. As I said, I am a very different than most! :-)

[Buck-i-Nana]

Sorry you were given wrong info. You need to do whatever it is that you feel comfortable with. You also need to decide if the way the officer treated you was perhaps he was just having a bad day or if he is a bully. If you got the feeling that he is a bully, for whatever reason, I would most definitely contact someone in the police department and file a statement.

There was an incident near me a bit over a year ago where a 63 year old woman was charged with resisting arrest because she didn't believe she had done anything to warrant being pulled over and was just then turning in to the parking lot where she works. She parked and as she was getting out of her car, the officer started shouting at her and threatened to taze her! She kept asking what she did and was crying and he told her to shut up, threw her on the hood of his cruiser, handcuffed her and hauled her off to jail. Wouldn't even let her call her husband to come get their dog that she always took to work with her. This cop told another cop what he had done and the other cop couldn't believe he would treat an older woman like that and said so.

All the charges, including the so-called traffic violation, were dropped by a judge. The woman and her husband have filed a civil suit against the officer and the PD and thankfully the guy is behind a desk at the moment. The media talk about his excellent performance ratings and a commendation, but then scattered through the years there was more than one incident of excessive force or verbal aggression.

[PhatCat]

I haven't read all the responses but did you pay that ticket yet? I would take my day in court. I can't believe that the ticket would automatically go to trial before being able to speak to the prosecutor first. That being said, I don't know a thing about Kansas, their volume of tickets etc. Here, you see a prosecutor and if it can't be settled on that day it is continued to another day for trial. I can tell you out of 300-400 people that are seen on a Friday about 50 go to trial, all the rest are settled.

A few things to check out before you pay as well. How many points will this be on your license? Will you insurance go up? For how long?? Very important things to know before making your decision.

Good luck.

Cath

[emmysmom]

On 3/20/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:

Sorry you were given wrong info. You need to do whatever it is that you feel comfortable with. You also need to decide if the way the officer treated you was perhaps he was just having a bad day or if he is a bully. If you got the feeling that he is a bully, for whatever reason, I would most definitely contact someone in the police department and file a statement.

There was an incident near me a bit over a year ago where a 63 year old woman was charged with resisting arrest because she didn't believe she had done anything to warrant being pulled over and was just then turning in to the parking lot where she works. She parked and as she was getting out of her car, the officer started shouting at her and threatened to taze her! She kept asking what she did and was crying and he told her to shut up, threw her on the hood of his cruiser, handcuffed her and hauled her off to jail. Wouldn't even let her call her husband to come get their dog that she always took to work with her. This cop told another cop what he had done and the other cop couldn't believe he would treat an older woman like that and said so.

All the charges, including the so-called traffic violation, were dropped by a judge. The woman and her husband have filed a civil suit against the officer and the PD and thankfully the guy is behind a desk at the moment. The media talk about his excellent performance ratings and a commendation, but then scattered through the years there was more than one incident of excessive force or verbal aggression.

What a nightmare! The poor lady..I guess some of these cops feel they are above the law. He certainly had NO compassion. He's a loose cannon,surprised he still has his job! I have to pay the ticket as I can't afford court fees etc. I don't feel its right, but my health is too fragile to fight this. I appreciate your advice! One of my friends, a paralegal had a terrible encounter with the police! They shot her husband and he died. He was innocent and the PD covered it up. She was never able to collect his life insurance because he was murdered and its still an open case. She went after the PD dept and she paid the price. She was tailed from work many nights and had threats on her life. You just never know! He has my name, address, phone number..etc. Its not worth it! You can bet I am going to be very careful driving!

[emmysmom]

On 3/20/2014 hckynut said:

On 3/20/2014 emmiesmom said:

<em>I called and talked to someone this morning and she told me I couldn't talk personally to a judge. If I want to plead not guilty, then I will have to go to trial. I am sure additional court costs would be applied. Also, the policeman in question would have to appear, along with any video evidence etc! I don't want to see him again or be put though this so it looks like I have to pay the fine. I thank all of you for your replies and kindness. I am so disappointed, especially after what the woman told me yesterday! But its not surprising~</em>

That is what I had to do those many decades ago, along with going to jail and finger printed and all the other things mentioned in my other post. About the only difference between your issue and mine is "there was not video in past decades". The patrol officer in my case was there and at that time I think it was mandatory for him or the case would have been dismissed. Not sure if that is still the same or it could be different in different communities.

As I said in my other post, I would not say I was guilty of something I did not do. I also mentioned that it takes up a lot of time(in my case, some of it in a jail cell), but principle did and does mean a whole lot to me.

Whatever you feel is best for you, probably is the right thing to do. As I said, I am a very different than most! :-)

I totally agree with what you did and admire you! I don't have the money to fight this..so I will move on.

[RainyDayGal]

When you say "trial" are you talking an actual trial with a jury? For a ticket?!

I have a friend that speeds all the time, gets tickets, goes to court (she never said she goes to trial) and get them reduced. WHY they are reducing them for her I'll never know, especially if they see she does it often. But I've never heard of a trial with a jury for tickets. I just assumed it was more like Night Court where you just stand in front of the judge, and there's a room full of people behind you waiting for their turn.

Either way, I do not have the time nor patience to deal with driving into the city to fight it. I'd pay it.

[Ibby114]

On 3/20/2014 violann said:

On 3/20/2014 pachutabelle said: It's possible that the policeman will not show up and case will be dismissed. Didn't see original post but wish you well with this aggravation.

Actually it's pretty likely he won't show up, unless you look like a dangerous character needing to be disciplined.

In my area, if the police don't show up they just reschedule you for yet another court time! They drag out the inevitable- there was a time if they didn't show up the ticket was dismissed. No more though!