self-representing in court

[pantherphan96]

dont let it snowball into a bonfire of the vanities situation

[KSpan]

It's traffic court.  Are they really so hard-assed as to not reduce it if you just show up dressed nice, talk to the 'prosecutor' before hand to hit a deal, and walk out of there with just a fine?

[PhillyB]

It's traffic court.  Are they really so hard-assed as to not reduce it if you just show up dressed nice, talk to the 'prosecutor' before hand to hit a deal, and walk out of there with just a fine?

can you do that? how does one just find the prosecutor beforehand?

like should i google who's on schedule that day and then show up at their house with some fresh-baked bread the night before and talk it out?

[The_Light_Brigade]

I know this is Peter Griffin goes to Washington but you could always give the judge one of these.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4_3J8pvuq0

 

[Zaximus]

You'll go, get in a long line waiting for your turn, and while waiting, guys walk up and down the line looking at your ticket and lowering speeds or writing stuff off.  At least that's how the Charlotte one has went.   Then you go pay the fine and go home.

[Kevin Greene]

They (cops) are virtually mostly just tax leviers these days. Bring your ck book.

[Kevin Greene]

On the other hand you'll finally have time to finish that novel.

[KSpan]

can you do that? how does one just find the prosecutor beforehand?

like should i google who's on schedule that day and then show up at their house with some fresh-baked bread the night before and talk it out?

You'll go, get in a long line waiting for your turn, and while waiting, guys walk up and down the line looking at your ticket and lowering speeds or writing stuff off.  At least that's how the Charlotte one has went.   Then you go pay the fine and go home.

This is exactly what I mean.  Traffic court is an assembly line, and in my experience the 'prosecutor' was always happy to cut a deal and be done with it.

You could also try calling traffic court and cutting a deal over the phone. Friends do it all the time here in KC, but not sure about your circumstances since you already missed a date.

[Zaximus]

 

This is exactly what I mean.  Traffic court is an assembly line, and in my experience the 'prosecutor' was always happy to cut a deal and be done with it.

You could also try calling traffic court and cutting a deal over the phone. Friends do it all the time here in KC, but not sure about your circumstances since you already missed a date.

Yeah it's all money.  Heck I was like 85 in a 65 and they lowered it to like 5 over in the line lol.  

[Bronn]

If you have a decent driving record, get a certified copy from the DMV and take it with you. Also take any evidence you have for the repairs you made to your light, the jail receipt or paperwork, and your new license. Don't plead guilty, and when they call you up, ask for the initial violation to be reduced to improper equipment on the grounds of your evidence of a good driving history (to cover the moving violation) and your desire to right your other wrongs (jail stuff, light, license).

If they don't want to reduce or throw out your issues, you'll have to get an attorney to get it done.

 

I've had good luck with representing myself, though.

[Khyber53]

Smart-ass white boys go to jail sometimes just because they are smart-ass white boys. Pony up for a lawyer and chances are all of this will go away.

Or skimp, defend yourself and maybe come out with a light fine, six months without a license and major insurance points at best. 

I'd pay now, taxis are expensive and it takes a lot of soap to wash off jail sweat stink.

[SmokinwithWilly]

this is what i'm hoping to avoid, if possible. i just need to know if jails are full of people who thought self-representation for minor traffic offenses was a good idea.

Watch Beyond Scared Straight season 2 episode 1. That's Char/Meck county jail. You can make your attorney decision then.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

From my experiences, your best bet is to cut a deal and pay whatever fine they come up with. Often times lawyer fees will be higher than the fine they'll give you if you take a deal. Even if you win in court, you still lose.

If you can't get a deal, get a lawyer, don't try to represent yourself. Judges usually disregard anything you say just because you don't have a lawyer (even if what you're presenting has legal merit). You say you saw a bunch of people self-representing for the same charge? They probably ALL lost.

[Floppin]

It's traffic court, it's nothing to worry about if your infraction isnt a moving violation. Arrive at court with your new license and that charge will be automatically dismissed and you'll just owe court costs.

Every county does it different but almost all counties have a system in place to set you up for a voluntary dismissal prior to the calendar call. Brunswick county, for instance, has a table set up outside the court room where you can show licenses and registrations and whatnot for these offenses and they just mark you for a voluntary dismissal and direct you to the clerk to pay. You never have to even go into court.

Contact the da's office and ask how they handle these things. They'll answer your questions...believe me they would rather not put you in jail for dumb poo.

I've had the watauga county da's office allow me to fax in a copy of a new registration after I got an fta on my initial court date. I called then when I found out I'd missed court and they gave me the fax number. The judge signed off on a recall on the original court date and dismissed it. I literally never even had to leave my house.