So, in my rage this morning, I sent another email to the Community Relations chick and the Chief of Police. The chief called me soon after. He was very cool and he understood why I was so bent about this whole mess. I told him that if the judge decides that passing a bus on a side street was indeed an infraction, then I have no problem paying the exorbitant $420 fine, but as it stands, there is no possible way I can get a fair hearing if the officer says I passed that bus on Trinity. He agreed and said he’s going to get the bus route and see if the bus drops kids on Trinity at all. If not, then my story would certainly have more credence than the officer’s. He seemed to agree that a bus on a side street would not require a stop by traffic on the main thoroughfare.

That’s all fine and good, but this is traffic court and I fully expect for the judge to rule that I broke the law and I’ll have to pay the fine as well as get points on my license. In a perfect situation, the ticket would be dismissed if the bus does not drop kids on Trinity, but I still think that I’ll lose. As I told the Chief, it’s not like people tell the truth in traffic court, so the judge will not be likely to dismiss the ticket. He again agreed, but told me to bring my pictures, the code and my statement and to not give up on getting the ticket dismissed.

Heh, right. Well, at least he understood my anger and he’s even going to be at the hearing on Monday. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not, but I appreciate his efforts to be fair.

You know, sometimes you just gotta stand up for yourself even if you’re going to lose. I hope I get a fair judge and I hope that the bus route supports my assertion that I did NOT pass a school bus on the same street that I was travelling on.

Send me some not-losing-to-a-$420-ticket-mojo, please! Oh, and let’s hope that today’s quote holds true: “Fortune favors the prepared mind.” – Louis Pasteur

So, I just called to find out how much that traffic ticket is gonna cost me: $420. FUCK.

I am SO fighting this one. That bitch of an officer is now saying that I flat out passed a bus on the street. Nevermind that the bus was on a different street than the one I was on, no, she told her Captain that I passed a bus on Trinity. That is a flat out LIE. But of course, it’s my word against hers and I’ll lose, such is the way of traffic court. Four hundred and twenty fucking dollars for the coffers of the City of Decatur.

For something I did NOT do. I did “pass” a bus on a side street. I’ve admitted that openly, however, I did NOT pass a school bus on the street I was driving on. That officer is just being a bitch because she knows that I’ll lose in traffic court. She doesn’t remember, but that won’t matter. I’ll be $420 poorer and I’ll get whatever points on my goddam license because of her. This totally BLOWS.

I think I’ll write a letter to the Mayor. Why not? It’s not like it’ll change anything, but at least I’ll feel better. City of Decatur: guilty until proven innocent. Fuckers. Maybe the gods of traffic will give me a citizen friendly judge and I will prevail. Yah, I’d say the odds of that are 10000 to 1.

I’ve got my statement ready. I’ve got a copy of the traffic code. I’ll have pictures. I’ll lose anyway, but I’ll go down fighting. FIGHT THE MAN! FIGHT BULLSHIT TICKETS!! [Of course I lost and got a gazillion points on my license. -A]

2005 was a pretty good year – albeit with some snags. I look forward to 2006! I’ve already had some things change that needed to change and I think that’s a good sign!

So, on with the 2005 wrap party: endings, changes and beginnings.

Continue reading “Happy New Year!”

Hello to pengylust! I don’t know who you are, but welcome to the ravings of misangela.com.

You should drop me a line and introduce yourself!

:-)