My day in court

The time had come for me to figure out the speeding ticket I got over Memorial weekend.  I had a choice that I could either just pay the $150 fine or I could show up to open court in Price.  I decided if given the chance, I should always take the day in court.  What do I have to lose besides a 1/2 tank of gas?

So Tuesday, I got up at 5:00 am to get ready and headed down to Price...again.  I had to be there by 8:00.  Court was by 9:00.  It was actually a really pretty drive.  Not crowded on the roads and the sunshine was just right.  I got there right at 8:15 and checked in.  Then hang around until 9:15 for the court to start.

There are interested people in these little farming towns.  And apparently, there was lots going on in Price because by 9:00, the seats in the courtroom were pretty full.  They called us in the order we checked in.  First guy, speeding just like me.  Second guy, fishing without a license.  And on and on....driving without registration and insurance, drug paraphernalia, and before me?  Sassafras woman that had 4 cases and violated all of the terms of probation.  The bailiff can to get her to put her in jail for 4 days. She rolled her eyes at all of us sitting in the room.  How the heck do I follow up to that??

Well I may or may not have gone ahead and used my cane to it's full advantage.  And I went up to the podium in front of the judge and plead not guilty.  I didn't believe I was speeding.  So he took out a slip of paper, and told me I had to come back July 6 for a hearing.  He told me my rights to an attorney.  I stopped him.  The first guy in court was given a chance to plea and do defensive driving.  So I asked if I could do the same.  Luckily the judge agreed.  I filled out the form, plead guilty, and paid my fee.  I have to do the course online (I hope to complete it this week) and if I don't get a ticket for 3 months, it will drop from my record.

It bites...but not a bad resolution.  Price City got their money and I will get it removed from my record.  And I am pretty sure I won't be driving through Price again anytime soon.  I've had enough of that drive for awhile.  As I was leaving the courthouse, I was followed by a police car all the way out of Helper.  I can't help but think they weren't giving me a final send off and trying to see if they could catch me speeding through all those varied speed limits.  But luckily I passed and made it home unscathed.

You know, driving long drives at the speed limit is not very fun.