The Price of Justice
Just got back from court, and I'd say it went rather well. Or as good as it could have gone. When I went back in October, they sentenced me to a $1000 fine and restricted driver's license. But then I hired a lawyer and he worked really hard to get my license back and he tried to get the Commonwealth attorney to reduce it beforehand. Didn't work, but after my testimony and thanks to a few kind letters from professors, we managed to convince the Judge to reduce it to improper driving. New sentence: $500 fine. That's all. No restrictions, don't have to do community service. Nothing! :)
So before I hired a lawyer, it would have cost me $1080 for the fine and court fees, but I would have had a restricted license, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and 4 pts (I think) on my license, which means an even bigger increase to insurance.
But I spent $800 for a lawyer, and I have to pay $651 for the fine and court fees. So $1451 total.
1451
- 1080
= $371
So essentially I paid $371 to be able to drive for the next 6 months. Worth it.
This whole thing has made me realize that having a car is expensive and a hassle. Don't get me wrong, I love my car and I love driving. But all of this plus the fact that I had to buy a parking pass and that Parking Services has screwed me out of $90 in parking tickets, it has cost me over $2000 to have a car on this campus.
And that's why I haven't paid my fraternity dues yet.
So before I hired a lawyer, it would have cost me $1080 for the fine and court fees, but I would have had a restricted license, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and 4 pts (I think) on my license, which means an even bigger increase to insurance.
But I spent $800 for a lawyer, and I have to pay $651 for the fine and court fees. So $1451 total.
1451
- 1080
= $371
So essentially I paid $371 to be able to drive for the next 6 months. Worth it.
This whole thing has made me realize that having a car is expensive and a hassle. Don't get me wrong, I love my car and I love driving. But all of this plus the fact that I had to buy a parking pass and that Parking Services has screwed me out of $90 in parking tickets, it has cost me over $2000 to have a car on this campus.
And that's why I haven't paid my fraternity dues yet.