Traffic Court

I woke up this morning with some pep in my step. I found a cute black top with black pants and a nice pair of black boots. I adorned myself with a pair of earrings and a sparkly bracelet. I was set to go to...TRAFFIC COURT.

I did not need to go, but I wanted to fight my excessively high ticket for talking on the cell phone while driving (no hands free device). I played out my sad, sorry excuse in my head on the drive to court and felt like I had a winner. I arrived at court, went through security, and saw a long line snaking its way around the hallway. Of course that was my destination. I stood in line, and it felt like it was moving in slow motion. I started texting friends for some entertainment. I was surprised and happy to learn of Munchkin's true identity. No, you are not a 17 year old girl from New York!

I saw "S", who I have had a long term crush on. S is an activist and his organization has worked with my boss for quite some time. I've always had an affinity for him, but he recently got engaged. Oh boo to you. But, I saw his twinkly brown eyes and he gave me some good tips on how to deal with the commissioner who was on bench for traffic court that day. After seeing S, I ran into Dusty. If anyone recalls from my previous posts my disdain for Dusty, then you will know how unthrilled I was to run into him. He came up to me, extraordinarily stinky and loud, and asked if my boyfriend was still alive. After a horrible look from me, he told me he was just joking and it was his way of talking to his hot girlfriends. I don't consider myself to be any kind of friend to him, so I was even more horrified. He then went on to tell me about some girls he was in love in with, and how he was at court to request to be thrown into jail because he ran out of money. I sort of stared at him blankly. Did he want money from me? Did he want to hang out with me? Touch my boobs as he has previously requested? I was in no mood for Dusty's crap this morning, so I started rudely staring away from him until he got the point and trudged away.

Court started at 10:00 am, but the commissioner decided he would wait until 10:20 to join the courtroom. The rowdy folks in the room were agitated from sitting around and waiting, and the commissioner came out and did not look to be in good spirits. He immediately and sort of kindly told everyone to shut their pie holes, and proceeded to throw his power around with talk of how "slowly" court would go if we weren't quiet. Granted, traffic court is not like any of the courts I have been to, where people are quiet and respectful. And, traffic court is not in any way a glamorous job for a judge or commissioner, but too bad Charlie, no need to be a d*#& about it!

I knew I was in trouble when he started spouting in a rehearsed fashion that he VERY RARELY decreases fines. That he agrees the fines are excessive, but it's a statutory issue and we should write to our legislators. Way to set the stage Commissioner. I almost got up right then and walked out the door. Some drunk guy yelled that he wanted a new judge. But, I have never had the experience of being on the stand (I was more "at the podium"), and I figured it is something I really should experience considering the field I'm in. Good to get some first hand experience of getting grilled by a Commissioner (who is sort of a judge...but that's another blog).

He called 6 people up at once. 5 in the seats, and 1 at the podium. It was done very orderly, and he was quite efficient. The plea choices were guilty, not guilty, and no contest. Not guilty got you sent to trial, and bail was waived if it i) caused a hardship, and ii) you promised to appear at your trial. Guilty and no contest could be pled with an explanation. I toyed with the idea of pleading no contest just to sound kind of badass, but I really had no reason to, so I played out the guilty plea in my head.

Finally, he called me. I bid him a good morning and pled guilty with an explanation. My voice cracked a little, but I told him I had to take an urgent call from the east coast, and that my driving record was very clean and that I was a safe driver, bla bla. He stared at me as if expecting more, but I had nothing else and told him so. He steadily stared at me, and told me my fine. The fine was the same amount as my citation. No pity from the commissioner, but I did get a month extension to pay it.

I went out to my car in the pouring rain, but had my cute, leopard umbrella to protect me. I saw something floating in a puddle near my car. Upon closer inspection, I recognized my pink sports bra pathetically soaked on the gravel. I had it in my car because I had planned to hit the gym after work today. I almost picked it up, but immediately felt a repulsion to my sopping wet, floating bra in the courthouse parking lot. I left it there in sweet surrender, and went on to work.

Work was non-eventful, but I did have a nice short day because I spent the morning in court. Another Friday night is about to be dedicated to homework, but I keep my mantra that this will all pay off somehow for me. Amazing job that pays well and has a work-life balance, is that you?