About six weeks ago, I got a ticket in my truck for expired registration. The cop asked if I had the sticker on me and I said "No, but I have it at home". When he gave me the ticket, he said that all I needed to do was appear in court on my scheduled date with my receipt for my registration (dated before the ticket) and the charge would be dismissed.
Today, was my court date. I've never contested a ticket before, so I didn't know what to expect. I got there at 2:30 for a 3:00pm docket. I checked in with someone and explained my situation. I then filled out a form with my plea (Guilty, Not Guilty, or Nolo Contendre (No Contest)). I decided to plead Not Guilty. The prosecutor called me up and I discussed the situation with him and he said that he would move to dismiss the charges.
At about 3:10, the Judge entered the courtroom and we all had to rise (just to sit back down). She called everyone with a last name up to M and had them stand in a line, while she dealt with their charges and pleas. Almost all plead guilty, which didn't make much sense to me, because if you're gonna pay the ticket, you can do that by mail. I noticed that every time someone plead Not Guilty, the judge asked if they wanted to be represented by a lawyer at a hearing (which would be rescheduled at some later date).
I was starting to get concerned because I didn't want to waste another bunch of time on another day. So, then the people who have a last name beginning with a letter greater than the letter M were asked to stand in line.
Then it was my turn. I stood at the podium and was about to state "Not Guilty, Your Honor", when the prosecutor sidled up beside me and said "Your Honor, I've reviewed the documents and move that we dismiss all charges". The judge said "OK. Dismissed." and I left.
Robbed of that opportunity, I would just like to emphatically state "Not Guilty, Your Honor"!
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That makes me wish I had contested my "window tinting charge" instead of paying hard-earned money to get the stuff taken off!! I probably could have beaten the rap if I had just stuck up for my guns!
I don't really feel I was guilty either since the tinting was put on by the dealer when the car was new and BEFORE I purchased it.
Do you think I have a beef with Volvo and could recover my costs of having the stuff THEY put on removed ??
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