They're really trying to make things difficult...

[metaltweety]

So, around mid-October, I got a speeding ticket. I filed it away, figuring they'd send something in the mail. A couple weeks ago, I dug out the ticket and found out that they don't necessarily send anything anymore. Nice one. Okay, there's a number on the ticket to call, but when I call the number, I find that it's disconnected with no further

Comments

group W bench

[montyy0]

I had an experience like this that didn't end very well. I asked a cop "I'm signing this promise to appear, but really, I will be sent a bill in the mail, and I'll pay it, right," and he said something like "yeah, that's how it works."-- the first thing they sent me was "you didn't pay, there is a warrant out for your arrest for failure to appear, you owe us $350 (in 1986 dollars) you can send us a check or appear in person at the Glendale court." Figuring it was at least partially their fault, I got Peter Ashcroft to drive me to the Glendale courthouse (because my car was screwed up), and he waited in the lobby. I went in and they said "how do you plead, we won't talk to you until you tell us," and I was sort of "er, well, I guess I didn't appear, but I wanted to talk about the circumstances"-- I think they got me to say guilty when I probably should have said one of the phrases that weren't on the tip of my tongue, like "nolo contendre" or "guilty with an explanation." Anyway, so I told my story, and the judge said, "They're not supposed to say that, but you signed a promise to appear. Ok, I'll make it $320, pay the bailiff." I said "Ok, I've got my checkbook," and they said "sorry, we don't take checks. cash only. don't have it, sorry, the bailiff will take you to jail now." er, but you would have taken the check if I had mailed it to you, why not in person? Um, can I ask my friend in the lobby to go to the bank for me? "No, you will go directly to jail. you only get a phone call, not a visit to the lobby." I guess the bailiff took pity on me and sent a message to Peter, but didn't tell me he did, so I was trying to call anyone I could think of in Blacker Hovse to get someone to borrow $320 and come over and rescue me-- I think eventually some combination of Peter, the RAs, and borrowing money from the MOSH or Deans got me out.

Anyway, I repeat this story such that you can perhaps avoid being in a similar situation, much as being in a random criminal holding cell probably builds character.

Re: group W bench

[firesika]

Does being in a random criminal holding cell build a troll or a dwarf, or what?

So, Walker, is this your once every 2 year ticket, or does California have a different rate of ticketing for you?

Re: group W bench

[metaltweety]

I think that's roughly the going rate. Hopefully with traffic school, I can cancel it out. And, I'd know about that by now if the city of San Jose paid its damn phone bills.

Re: group W bench

[firesika]

I think you're being unduly harsh to poor, poor San Jose. I mean, maybe its toddler kept it up all night when the phone bill was due. And then maybe it had the stomach flu and couldn't pay 'cause it couldn't move from the bathroom. And then maybe its stupid ex-girlfriend didn't pay back the money she owed it. . .

All I'm saying is, YOU DON'T KNOW. Geez.

:D

Re: group W bench

[metaltweety]

Thank you. I wasn't really planning on heading anywhere close to the courthouse to deal with this, but now I'm doubly convinced that's a good idea. It was bad enough to notice a couple police cars possibly checking out one of the neighbors.