Hallelujah for Contested Court Hearings!

I received a traffic ticket a month or so ago for failure to stop at a stop sign.

The officer stated that I 'rolled' through the sign.

I disagreed with him.

I contested the ticket.

I was sworn in under oath at 10:23 am this morning that my testimony was true.

I gave my explanation.

Case DISMISSED!

I like that Judge...he's a swell guy (swell...just a funny word when describing someone. Does it mean that it is blown-up? Just a thought).

Here is my thought about the court clerk I met last week when preparing for this court date today...as said in a letter (because that's what the SITS are doing today...SITS? Yeah they are a bunch of FANTASTIC ladies who go blog to blog showering bloggy love):

Dear Ms. Court Clerk Lady of the Grant County Court in Moses Lake, WA

I appeared in at the court clerk desk in person to fill out paperwork to subpoena the officer who gave me my ticket, as I have a court date next week to contest the ticket.

After waiting five minutes, with no one in line and you and your co-worker making no acknowlegdement of my being at your desk, I proceeded to tell you what I needed. You told me that you didn't have this form and couldn't help me.

I was amazed! The contested hearing paper I received made the following statement:

"If you wish to subpoena a witness, you must apply to the court in person at least 10 days prior to the hearing."

I re-asked, after reading the above statement to you, if the form was available. Again, you told me no. You then went on to tell me that I had to research it on my own, find the form online and then submit it. Then you proceeded to hand me a handout entitled: "Information Available from District Court Employees". Under the column of what District Court Staff can do, it states: "Provide court-approved or required forms or tell you where you can find forms."

Do you not read the handout you gave me? Do you not know what court approved forms are? Are you always a B#@$&...oops, did I say that out loud!?!

I understand that you might have had a bad day. I understand you might even be overworked. I understand that you might not have been complete directions on how to do your job properly. But PUH-LEASE!

Your kindness and overwhelming show of understanding made me feel a whole lot better. In fact, it made me feel so good that I am actually considering sending this letter to the Grant County Court in real life and not just in bloggy life!

I hope that your day gets better....at least my day did. Did I tell you my ticket was dismissed even without your help? Of course not, because the form you gave me said, "district court staff cannot tell you what decision the judge will make or what sentence the judge will impose" so I guess it works both ways...you don't talk to me and I won't talk to you!.

Happy Friday,

Rachel Ann