Moments D444: Court

Today's moment was a learning opportunity.  Early this year (April actually) I received a traffic violation ticket for not having my license plate sticker renewed for the year.  It was totally my fault.  I received the notification to do so, in February, and then I carefully proceeded to tuck it away somewhere safe until I had to actually update my sticker.

Shockingly, I forgot all about the renewal.

And so, I found myself with a $110 ticket for my forgetfulness.  DAMN!  The police officer that gave me the ticket was very kind and explained that if I purchased my renewal sticker within the week and asked for an early resolution I'd likely have the ticket withdrawn.  And so, my adventures in the legal processes in Ontario began.  I sent in my letter (yes, a good old fashioned letter, in an envelope) to the courthouse downtown.  Two weeks later I received a letter back with my appointment to meet at the courthouse to discuss my early resolution.  It said, the Friday before our big tradeshow.

ACK!

And so, I sent them another letter, requesting a date further out.  Again, I received a letter in return.  Today was my actual court date.  What a strange process so far.  Little did I know what to expect.  I was pleasantly surprised in the end.

I arrived early.  Good thing.  There were (cute!) police officers at the door screening all who entered.  My purse taken, I walked through the metal detector.  Who knew that traffic violations were so serious!  (I am joking, I realize that not all of us in the waiting room were there for traffic violations, but I was surprised to see such security!)

Seated, I waited for the next set of instructions and before long the prosecutor's assistant (a man with a fabulous head of hair and warm demeanour) started collecting our paperwork.  (He reminded me of the "Big Lebowski")  He then called us into his tiny room in groups of three.  The speed at which he reduced fines and violations was incredible.  I was impressed.  I was in and out of that part of the process in maybe 3 minutes.  MAYBE.

While my paperwork was in order and the traffic violation was withdrawn, I still had to go into the courtroom to have it officially dismissed.  What a strange process!  Being new to it all, I was actually enjoying being an observer.  And boy, there was much to observe in the courtroom.

The room was very official, though quite scaled down.  There was a seating area for approximately 20 people.  At the front of the room was the judge, two legal, very official looking assistants.  I would presume that one was the court recorder, while the other announced the violations and accepted the pleas.  Of course, the prosecutor was in front of the table, facing the assistants and the judge along with the rest of us in the "peanut gallery".

It was all very official.  Each and every one of the violations had a script followed.  The person in violation was called to the front and they had to announce his or her name into a microphone.  The judge addressed them, the assistant read out the violation and requested a plea.  The judge was also very scripted.  "Do you render this plea of your own free will?  Are you aware that by doing so you give up your right for a trial.  A plea of guilty comes with a penalty.  The penalty is a fine.  Do you accept these terms?"  Then the prosecutor would announce what that fine she was asking for this reduced violation.  In a few instances, the judge further decreased the fine for those that seemed to be in need of it.  (a single mom, a struggling immigrant) But the judge also pushed back with another who tried to ride the gravy train of compassion.   It was all so very, VERY interesting.  I think I could have sat there all day just observing and absorbing.

When it was my turn it was rather anti-climatic.  I stated my name and the prosecutor announced that my paperwork was in order and the violation was withdrawn.  Just as quickly as I arrived to the front, the judge had set me on my way with quick "have a good day."

And that was that.  For $7.50 in parking and an hour of my time I spared myself a $110 ticket fine.  And, by watching the rest of the process, it seems it is fairly easy to get a reduced fine for speeding.  All very interesting.

A moment of learning and observing.

A moment watching an age old tradition in the works.

Moments D225: Spectators part two

Tonight my parents were in town as they wanted to be in the city for an early morning appointment tomorrow. Tonight was also my volleyball night. I suggested they come to cheer me on tonight.

And so they did!

I won’t lie, I was a little nervous to have my parents sitting there watching. It has been many, MANY years since they’ve seen me play court volleyball.

Fortunately I played well, even though I was tired from a bad night of sleep and a hectic day at work. And in the end we fought hard to win our second match. Wooot! Splitting our matches, a good result after many losses!

Post volleyball we had a quick, late dinner and home to bed. It was a quick visit and catch up but, as always, a loving one.

Hopefully the appointment goes well and is informative tomorrow.

Moments to share with family.
Moments to shine in their love.