You see, last July I got caught by a speed camera doing 55kph in a school zone {where it's 40kph during certain hours on school days.}
To make a long story bearable, I'd only been in the country less than 60 days at the time. I was told by several Aussie coworkers that it was school holidays and, thus, the school zones could be ignored.
Unfortunately, you cannot exactly argue with a speed camera. Or flirt your way out of a ticket, for that matter.
Photo source |
These buggers are all over Australia. And I hate them.
So me being me, I decided to fight it in court.
Why? Because I obviously love putting myself in uncomfortable, nerve wracking positions.
This might look like a smile for those who don't know me. But it's actually my "Eek I'm nervous face." |
Here's how shizz went down....
Everybody goes inside the court room.
You have to bow to the judge {Magistrate.} Weird.
Turns out it's criminal court, {so much for traffic court ala Los Angeles.}
So I have to sit nervously through a guy getting the nails put to him for selling pot.
Naturally, I was the first case to get called forward that wasn't using a lawyer {or solicitor, as they say here.}
I pled my case.
I think I did a pretty decent job.
Until the end, which went like this:
Judge: "Are you employed?"
Me: "Yes, Your Honor."
Judge: "Do you plan to present me with evidence as to why you cannot pay the $278 fine?"
Me: {crap!} "No, Your Honor."
Judge: "Case settled. Judgement for $278."
She got me. Two days later I came up with a great rebuttal.
Me {hypothetically}: "Is a prerequisite condition of financial hardship necessary to request leniency, Your Honor?"
translation: F*(@ off, it doesn't matter if I have money or not!
Today, an envelope came in the mail, which I assumed would be the $278 penalty.
I opened it.
ADVICE OF DISQUALIFICATION AND CANCELLATION OF LICENCE
Say whaaaaaaaa?!?!?!
I start frantically reading the letter. In small print at the bottom, it lists the offense, court, and date. The court and date were correct, but the offense was wrong! They put me down for an offense where you automatically lose your license {going 30kph over the speed limit.}
I called and the Road Transit Authority said I need to call the courts. They simply enforce whatever the court sends through. I asked "Is there an outstanding fine associated with the charge?" "No."
Hmmmmm. The license is only suspended until June 16, 2012. We are only in Australia until May 31. I'm wondering if I should just roll the dice and go with this charge to avoid paying the $278. Worst case scenario, I get pulled over and have to explain to the cop that it was an error by the court and I'm working with them to resolve it.
Thanks, a lot, Hornsby Court </sarcasm> |
Should I go through the hassle of changing it with the court and paying the $278?
Or should I roll the dice with this one and have the evidence ready in case I get pulled over?
Update: {this is what I get for waiting so long to publish this post} The fine has come in the mail. Blech! Fortunately, I have a friend who's a prosecutor that's sorted out the mis-coded offense for me. So now I basically just need your pity. Ha!