5 ms·

For future reference, if you or others reading this catch a bullshit charge like you describe, it is very likely that you can have a lawyer handle everything fo

For future reference, if you or others reading this catch a bullshit charge like you describe, it is very likely that you can have a lawyer handle everything for you and it may be cheaper than the extra travel costs and missed work days. Even if you are supposedly 'required' to appear. I'm not a lawyer so my specific advice is to call a few and explain the situation, then hire one to handle everything for you. Even if a charge sticks, they will be better then you at pleading it down and/or negotiating reduced fines when possible. Again, it's likely going to be cheaper then travel costs and you should have a lawyer anyway, right from the very start. It sucks to be unfairly targeted but there is an easy way out. I hire a lawyer for even the most minor traffic violations and they really can save you money once you factor all costs (insurance rates, etc...).

kombucha2 9y ago
At the end of my ordeal I had to pay 25 dollars of non-refundable "court costs". There is a Supreme Court to be decided on soon which should determine the constitutionality of this practice even after one has been exonerated.
- phonon 9y ago
  You mean NELSON v. COLORADO? Good news! https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/16pdf/15-1256_5i36.pdf https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/16pdf/15-1256_5i36.pdf
  - kombucha2 9y ago
    I do mean Nelson and I am elated! Didn't notice they had already announced the decision, I'm behind it seems. Ty!
- Broken_Hippo 9y ago
  My ex was found not guilty for driving while suspended (he didn't know at the time). They took about $45 of his bail money to cover it, and this was back in the late 90's.
FullMtlAlcoholc 9y ago
I learned this lesson the hard way. I have weird facial tics. People often remark that I must be a very happy go lucky guy because I often smile involuntarily (or maybe that's the default position of my lips). During a pleading where I was highly anxious, a judge thought I wasn't taking the matter at hand seriously because I was smiling and decided to throw the book at me for that. This phenomenon is also what caused "Foxy Knoxy" to be immediately labeled guilty. One would think that judges would judge people by more objective measures, but sometimes they can be the worst judge of character. Protip: If you have to appear in front of a judge, try your best to be the first party the judge sees in the morning or right after lunch. Your chances of a favorable judgment lessen as time wears on and judge's get cranky. I use this same philosophy for job interviews: try to appear before the interviewer at the least stressful time, and they are more likely to view you favorably. ALWAYS lawyer up with the best you can afford. Justice may be blind, but the more money you have and, accordingly, the higher a quality of lawyer you can afford, the more "justice" you will receive. That's why it's so difficult for rich/powerful people to ever land inside a jail cell.
- BearGoesChirp 9y ago
  >Justice may be blind Which is why it has never found its way into the courts.

kombucha2 9y ago

At the end of my ordeal I had to pay 25 dollars of non-refundable "court costs". There is a Supreme Court to be decided on soon which should determine the constitutionality of this practice even after one has been exonerated.

phonon 9y ago
You mean NELSON v. COLORADO? Good news! https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/16pdf/15-1256_5i36.pdf https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/16pdf/15-1256_5i36.pdf
- kombucha2 9y ago
  I do mean Nelson and I am elated! Didn't notice they had already announced the decision, I'm behind it seems. Ty!
Broken_Hippo 9y ago
My ex was found not guilty for driving while suspended (he didn't know at the time). They took about $45 of his bail money to cover it, and this was back in the late 90's.

FullMtlAlcoholc 9y ago

I learned this lesson the hard way. I have weird facial tics. People often remark that I must be a very happy go lucky guy because I often smile involuntarily (or maybe that's the default position of my lips). During a pleading where I was highly anxious, a judge thought I wasn't taking the matter at hand seriously because I was smiling and decided to throw the book at me for that. This phenomenon is also what caused "Foxy Knoxy" to be immediately labeled guilty. One would think that judges would judge people by more objective measures, but sometimes they can be the worst judge of character. Protip: If you have to appear in front of a judge, try your best to be the first party the judge sees in the morning or right after lunch. Your chances of a favorable judgment lessen as time wears on and judge's get cranky. I use this same philosophy for job interviews: try to appear before the interviewer at the least stressful time, and they are more likely to view you favorably. ALWAYS lawyer up with the best you can afford. Justice may be blind, but the more money you have and, accordingly, the higher a quality of lawyer you can afford, the more "justice" you will receive. That's why it's so difficult for rich/powerful people to ever land inside a jail cell.

BearGoesChirp 9y ago
>Justice may be blind Which is why it has never found its way into the courts.