Traffic Court Anyone?

No !!! It's not for me. Someone I know has to go and has no idea what to expect. I couldn't help. Do they hang you by your toes??? Lock you up in a stockcade on public square???

oh my goodness, no! LOL!., Sorry, I'll be serious. First, the cop has to show up if the charge is contested - is she seing a Magistrate? If so, many times the cop does not show up who issued the infraction and the charge is simply dismissed. Most Magistrates are used to hearing LOTS of b/s, so she should just state why she's contesting the charges, ask for proof or "discovery", and then be prepared to have it cut in half. She can ask to have it held in suspense, i.e., if she does not pay the fine on time then it hits her record, but being unfamiliar with Indiana law, I can't answer for sure. Most traffic tickets are never fully dismissed if the file is "complete", as traffic provides ample revenue for the city. But if any part of the file is incomplete or late, or the traffic cop is not there, then the Judge or Magistrate will be compelled to dismiss. I assume it's a simple infraction? If it's more complex (involving another person or accident) then she needs a good lawyer specializing in traffic court. Hope this helps!!

Then, after all is said and done, she's tarred and feathered in town square.

I accompanied a friend once. The judge didn't even give him a chance to get a word in edgewise. He was tarred, feathered, and fined.

If it's just a speeding ticket, it's less aggravation to simply pay the darn thing (like I'll be doing this week). It's not been too good a week for driving in my world. I have gotten pulled over twice in 5 days. Thankfully, only one ticket.

It depends on the state, and even the county you live in. When my husband went in Mass for a speeding ticket, it was him, a magistrate, and a rep from the state police. The magistrate told him he'd cut the thing in half. Woop de doo. He went a second time for an illegal U-Turn and they threw that one out. I went once for a speeding ticket in a different area in Mass. There they swore us all in, and had us go one at a time with a magistrate and the actual officer that pulled everyone over. I won this one, but mostly due to professional curtesy.
In CT they have everyone go in the court room, meet with the prosecuter. If you don't like what the prosecuter wants to do with the ticket, you will go in front of the magistrate the next time and the officer that wrote the ticket will show up. People have brought in witnesses, questioned the validity of laser guns, you name it.

Originally Posted by Deb25

I accompanied a friend once. The judge didn't even give him a chance to get a word in edgewise. He was tarred, feathered, and fined.

If it's just a speeding ticket, it's less aggravation to simply pay the darn thing (like I'll be doing this week).

It's not been too good a week for driving in my world. I have gotten pulled over twice in 5 days. Thankfully, only one ticket.

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My experience wasn't so bad. YOu get arraigned, and you're asked how you plead. It's quickest to say "guilty." Then they make you pay, however much plus court cost. It's embarrassing, but not terribly painful.

I had three tickets in one year - that's why I had to go. I don't think it would be worth it to contest a ticket though - as you'll end up paying more. In my case, though, it was GO or have an arrest warrant on my butt. And I'm this young professional woman! Oh well. No tar, no feathers.

No matter how much trouble your friend is in, there are people in there with MUCH more trouble coming!

Yikes! That only happens here if you are operating under suspension, or get caught driving recklessly!

OMG! The traffic court I went to locally (UGH!!!!!!!)
I was about the last one, and I honestly do not know how the judge kept a straight look on his face, for most of the time. The reasons the people told about, were so often SOOOO ridiculous, and I was sitting there just trying not to laugh out loud! I wasted my time going though, because it cost me more, than paying the darn fine outright, as they tacked on court costs. AND, when I got outside the courthouse, my parking meter had expired and I had a PARKING TICKET on my car!!!!!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrr

Here's Indiana's Hamilton County's website that explains what to expect in traffic court and has the link to fines. http://www.in.gov/hcc/traffic_court/
Here in CA, it is possible to appear in writing (Trial by Written Declaration), wherein you post bail, file your statement of facts, and w/in 30 days the officer files his written statement, then the judge considers both statements & makes his ruling based on that. I've seen people get reduced fines that way, but they have to be innocent or at least have a good argument, in order to get a dismissal or reduction (yup! the judges have heard some INCREDIBLE stories)
As for me, I got my 1st speeding citation last month, for driving 75 in a 45 but I was innocent! Honestly! It was the Infinity next to me that was smart enough to swerve into the gas station! But for years, what with working 2 jobs, shuttling kids, etc. I had sped excessively and I've been naughty just for fun (up to 147 mph. naughty, in a new Oldsmobile intrigue, w/o getting caught,) so I figured it was kharma, and paid the fine; even though I was in my mom's 4runner that was having tranny trouble and wont go over 60, much as I'd like it to!