4 ms·

As a Candian in Cali, I too, was fined rather large amounts for minor (though admittedly consistent) traffic violations. I suggest this is mostly a problem wit

As a Candian in Cali, I too, was fined rather large amounts for minor (though admittedly consistent) traffic violations. I suggest this is mostly a problem with how law enforcement works across the board in America. Also - going to see a 'judge' for a minor traffic ticket? That's crazy. In Canada, you get a ticket, you pay it, done. And there aren't crazy traps everywhere etc.. That African Americans happen to occupy the lower tier of the economic stratum (not saying this is right), means they are much more likely to be thrown by any disbursement of these fines: 'not showing to court' for tiny offenses can be worse than the offence itself. Perhaps it's exasperated by racism, but it's more of a general problem.

twblalock 10y ago
You don't generally need to see a judge unless you want to challenge the ticket. Most tickets in California can be paid online or by mail. It differs by county.
- astronautjones 10y ago
  in Atlanta, you have to go either way - the judge decides your penalty. it's ridiculous and a complete waste of time
  - bmelton 10y ago
    But then they get to tack on "court costs" as increased fines.
tamana 10y ago
Do you why AfricanAmericans- "happen" to occupy the lower tier? 200 years of slavery, lynching, redlining, forced unemployment, and segregation, and then letting the cycle of poverty run on autopilot.
- jomamaxx 10y ago
  "Do you why AfricanAmericans- "happen" to occupy the lower tier? 200 years of slavery, lynching, redlining, forced unemployment, and segregation, and then letting the cycle of poverty run on autopilot." Yes, dude, I'm well aware of American history, thanks for the deep insight. Also, it's much more complicated than 'slavery and oppression'.
slavik81 10y ago
You absolutely can challenge a Canadian traffic ticket in court. I have friends who have done so. We also do have the occasional questionable photo radar trap, though admittedly I know of none as egregious as the worst small American towns.
- jomamaxx 10y ago
  "You absolutely can challenge a Canadian traffic ticket in court. I have friends who have done so." I did not indicate or imply that one could not challenge a ticket in Canadian court. Of course you can. I'm pointing to the fact that in many places if America - if you get a speeding ticket you have to go to court. Literally a day off work to standing in line, wait your turn for a 30 second process in front of a judge wherein they give you your $120 fine - and then you can pay it. The idea that you have to go to court just to pay a speeding ticket is insane.
  - slavik81 10y ago
    Thanks for the clarification, but that's still incorrect. You don't need to go to court in California unless it's a serious violation like a DUI. http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/paying-traffic-tickets.php http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/paying-traffic-tickets.php
    - jomamaxx 10y ago
      I'm sorry dude, but I can speak from experience on this. As someone who had to drive through Marin county daily - where there is a little gap where the speed limit is 50mph - and the cops pull over people all day long for $$, I can assure you that in many counties, you pretty much have to go to court. They don't just 'give you a ticket' - they give you a summons. Now - technically, you may be able to do a lot of stuff by mail, but it's a legal process. Point being: they don't just 'give you a ticket you can pay' in many counties. Because the court was on my way to work, I would stop in and spend a few hours waiting in line for my 'less than 30 seconds' in front of a judge. That's how it works. It's absolutely nutjobs. I should get the ticket, and pay online with my iphone 20 seconds later. But the greater issue is the degree of enforcement: In the USA - the cops are crazy about ticketing and stopping for small stuff. Cops use tickets as a form of revenue. In most countries, it's not like that. The likelihood of being arbitrarily stopped for some kind of small violation is 10x in California than it is in Ontario - and probably greater if you throw a little bit of racism in there.

twblalock 10y ago

You don't generally need to see a judge unless you want to challenge the ticket. Most tickets in California can be paid online or by mail. It differs by county.

astronautjones 10y ago
in Atlanta, you have to go either way - the judge decides your penalty. it's ridiculous and a complete waste of time
- bmelton 10y ago
  But then they get to tack on "court costs" as increased fines.

tamana 10y ago

Do you why AfricanAmericans- "happen" to occupy the lower tier? 200 years of slavery, lynching, redlining, forced unemployment, and segregation, and then letting the cycle of poverty run on autopilot.

jomamaxx 10y ago
"Do you why AfricanAmericans- "happen" to occupy the lower tier? 200 years of slavery, lynching, redlining, forced unemployment, and segregation, and then letting the cycle of poverty run on autopilot." Yes, dude, I'm well aware of American history, thanks for the deep insight. Also, it's much more complicated than 'slavery and oppression'.

slavik81 10y ago

You absolutely can challenge a Canadian traffic ticket in court. I have friends who have done so. We also do have the occasional questionable photo radar trap, though admittedly I know of none as egregious as the worst small American towns.

jomamaxx 10y ago
"You absolutely can challenge a Canadian traffic ticket in court. I have friends who have done so." I did not indicate or imply that one could not challenge a ticket in Canadian court. Of course you can. I'm pointing to the fact that in many places if America - if you get a speeding ticket you have to go to court. Literally a day off work to standing in line, wait your turn for a 30 second process in front of a judge wherein they give you your $120 fine - and then you can pay it. The idea that you have to go to court just to pay a speeding ticket is insane.
- slavik81 10y ago
  Thanks for the clarification, but that's still incorrect. You don't need to go to court in California unless it's a serious violation like a DUI. http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/paying-traffic-tickets.php http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/paying-traffic-tickets.php
  - jomamaxx 10y ago
    I'm sorry dude, but I can speak from experience on this. As someone who had to drive through Marin county daily - where there is a little gap where the speed limit is 50mph - and the cops pull over people all day long for $$, I can assure you that in many counties, you pretty much have to go to court. They don't just 'give you a ticket' - they give you a summons. Now - technically, you may be able to do a lot of stuff by mail, but it's a legal process. Point being: they don't just 'give you a ticket you can pay' in many counties. Because the court was on my way to work, I would stop in and spend a few hours waiting in line for my 'less than 30 seconds' in front of a judge. That's how it works. It's absolutely nutjobs. I should get the ticket, and pay online with my iphone 20 seconds later. But the greater issue is the degree of enforcement: In the USA - the cops are crazy about ticketing and stopping for small stuff. Cops use tickets as a form of revenue. In most countries, it's not like that. The likelihood of being arbitrarily stopped for some kind of small violation is 10x in California than it is in Ontario - and probably greater if you throw a little bit of racism in there.