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davis_square2013-04-02 10:09 am
axedmoon.livejournal.com) wrote in davis_square2013-04-02 10:09 am
Somerville Traffic Court
Has anyone ever had experience with contesting a ticket? Any advice?
no subject
The 2 experiences were completely different. In Somerville, I paid my $25 and spoke to the magistrate. I told them the truth - that I had stopped, and the officer staking out possibly didn't have a clear view due to the angle. That he pulled me over 8 blocks later and I had no idea why he was pulling me over. My child was in the car and I always stop at that sign. That maybe I stopped a bit late to get a better view. (hairpin right at pearl onto medford) They offered to lower the fine but not drop the charge, which carries points. I paid another $50 to appeal it to the judge. That was the most eye opening kangaroo court I've ever seen. At 9am, the court doors opened and all the officers involved in all the cases walked in together, joked around with the judge for a bit, and then sat down together. One by one, each officer and each accused went up to separate microphones on opposite sides of the room. The officer stated his case, the accused stated his case, and the judge hit his gavel, declaring "guilty as charged... next."
They went through every traffic case that way. The officers and the judge were joking around throughout. Obviously they do this a lot.
The main thing that I got from the cambridge experience was... they don't want you to imply that the officer is lying. So there has to be some plausibility. In Cambridge the magistrate is much kinder, I've seen him twice for 2 different things. We actually joked around a bit both times. In Somerville, my impression was that everyone just covers for each other. But if you take it to the judge and the charging officer doesn't show up, you automatically will get off - paying only $75 but no points. Don't know how often that happens, officers not showing up. They were all there (at least 5 guys, maybe more) the day I went.
The points I got from that endeavor will ultimately cost me $1200 over 6 years. I've never felt so much like I'm living in an extortionist third world country. I guess that's the darker side of our fair city. Given that outcome, I'd probably fight it again .
I'll be interested in knowing how you make out. Or if anyone else has tried this.
no subject
However, I had an incredible different experience. I waited in a line to have my case heard at the Somerville District Court. It was first come, first serve. Very odd. I had noticed that the few people in front of me were just walking out and going home. Good sign for me? When I walked into the "court," it was just the clerk and the assistant. The assistant read my charge, and the magistrate asked my side. It seems my ticket was also marked in error that a collision had occurred while this is a compelling reason, I do not know if this was the sole reason for my case's dismissal; my case was thrown out as a warning instead. There were no officers present in the room, and it all happened quickly.
I'm sorry your case was not given the proper justice. I was losing a little faith in the system simply that I got the ticket in such injustice as well. It is quite an inconsistent system in that manner. As my friend says, the odds of Somerville justice is like a casino.
no subject
The first round, it was just the magistrate and assistant for me as well. Yes it is very fast.
Glad things worked out for you. I think it's pretty rare.