Well,
Being upfront with my comment - Thanks for filling the coffers of the Commonwealth.
As previous few have noted - beg for mercy. I agree.
A year or so ago I was returning fast food - wrong order when I was stopped for "speeding".
It was not a state trooper, but a county sherif. Caught me going "80MPH". I saw him coming up a hill, going in the opposite direction. Obviously, if he is going uphill, I was going down. I did not know radar worked like that.
Mental note number one.
I professed my innocence. Truely, I believed my truck was incapable of producing such a speed, even going downhill.
Mental note number two.
While it was deamed, "reckless driving", Mental note three, I professed I really could NOT go that fast, but the officer was giving me a break, not listing reckless driving on the offence.
Mental note four. Get speedo checked.
Since I had convinced myself the conditions were not possible for my truck to go that fast, I elected court, rather than paying the fine.
I did get my speedo checked, and much to my chagrin it was indeed off, but on the low side. Hence his "80" was my trucks
"90". Hmmm.
The day of the court went smoothly. All those pleading guilty and wanting drivers education step to the right. All those wishing judgement, stay seated.
I was first up for judgement. The sheriff was not available, so I was told to wait.
One hour later it was my turn.
NOT guilty your honor! I stated.
"Your reasons, Mr. Z", the judge asked!
"My truck speedometer was calibrated incorrectly, your honor"
"Mr. Z. Supporting evidence?" the judge queried.
"In my hand your honor", I quipped, hoping to bluff.
"Approach me sir"
Yikes, this is not going to work, maybe he forgot his glasses, I thought.
"Mr. Z. your speedo is correct in the inaccuracy of the calibration, it fact you look to have been going "90", Next Defence?"
"The officer was approaching me from a hill bottom, your honor. Perhaps he caught someone behind me or his radar was not calibrated correctly".
"I am familar with the area Mr. Z., no way as the LOS is pretty clear." He calls the officers radar book to check on the service date.
The officer approaches with a HUGE book, looks at me, points to the book for the judge.
"Mr. Z. the officers radar was found to be properly inspected just days before your offence. Next Defence?"
"Your honor, please take my clean driving record into consideration as I beg the mercy of your court".
Court costs, day long driving school. Now the dregs in driving school that I met, I'd do the court thing all over again.
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
