Yup, and I trust my source implicitly. Again, at least you made it to a motions hearing. I've been inside that cesspool exactly once in the last 3 1/2 years for a criminal proceeding (hearing or trial). It's absolutely farcical.....making arrests is an absolute waste of time and effort, because unless it's getting shipped up to superior court in Dedham, it's getting CWOF'ed, pled-out, or dismissed. Last year I had a probation surrender hearing in Dorchester Court, and I was amazed as the judge sent one person after another to the house of correction for violating their probation. I even looked at the court officer's patch to make sure it didn't say "Lairt Truoc fo eht Htlaewnommoc" because I thought I was in Bizzaro World, compared to QDC.
So glad I moved... Forrest County Justice Court: Wednesday is contested traffic day. Call the name 3 times, no show. All the officers with no shows stand in front of the judge, get sworn in. County Attorney asks "Do each of you swear the offenses set forth in your citations occurred as stated on the citation, in your presence and within Forrest County?" We all say "Yes" like good little po-leeces. County Attorney says "Your honor, move for a guilty verdict on all cases." Judge agrees, bangs his gavel, and we're done.
Rule 1. I don't take it personally Rule 2. Most of the time, I plain don't give a fuck. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Go to work, do your time, go home, and don't expect the fruits of your labor to amount to nothing is what's it's coming down to. Like shoveling shit against the tide.
Not much different here in the traffic aspect. If you appeal and then don't show, you're found responsible.
Although I am sure that I may have lost a couple of ticket appeals in the clerk's hearing, I have never lost one in front of a judge. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
One thing QDC isn't bad for is traffic appeals.....I had a magistrate's appeal where I simply didn't remember writing the citation, which I admitted. The magistrate said "In my 20-plus years here, I've seen this officer in this room a handful of times. If he wrote you a citation, you deserved it. I find you responsible".
Just like when an officer lies, thier reputation in court affects future testimony. This is what happens when you have a good reputation. Nicely done! My favorite part is "If he wrote you a citation, you deserved it."
I got tired of lookin at "distric court" in the thread title, so an additional T was added to districT. Perhaps I shoulda axed the OP if it was iight to change da title
You guys don't have a "Court Officer" that goes in for everyone's citations? Or are you dating yourself, back when every officer had to appear for his own magistrate appeals?
I write very few mine tix. So when mine make it in from of the judge, they're all good. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Here on the west coast, if someone fights a ticket, it goes right to traffic court (and a judge, not a magistrate) and we as officers have to go as the "prosecution." No such thing as court officers out here, although I like your system better, that way we wouldn't have to go to court on a day off.
Too many to recount. Here's my last two: 1. Female judge, female defendant. Judge: "I believe the testimony of the officer, but I'm going to find the defendant not guilty'".. I did not stick around for the douche's response to my "why fucking bother".. No 4 hrs for Deuce so not happy.. 2. At the end of both of our testimonies, it was quite clear to all the defendant was caught in a lie, but he brought his lawyer. So the judge says he'll take both arguments "under advisement" and notify the defendant via mail.. Yah, polite way of saying "hey you're a lawyer, I'm a lawyer, wink wink, fuck the cop"... No 4 hrs for Deuce again.... Getting a lot of crosswords done....
For awhile, my shift was Sun - Tues & every other Weds; traffic court was always on Friday morning. Any time a smartass driver would say, "I'll see you in court!", I'd reply, "Glad to be there 'cause it's all overtime pay for me!" We only got a 2 hour minimum, but most of the time court would only last about 30 minutes for me because the defendant either didn't show (automatic guilty) or would see me there and ask to change their plea. *****
They have someone from traffic do the initial appeals for most citations, but if it's a high-value civil citation (the amount would pay the officer's OT plus a profit) they'll have the issuing officer go to the magistrate's hearing. The guy I mentioned above was drag racing plus some equipment violations, so the total fine was something like $600.
Once I got there I didn't mind the cash overtime because I always found traffic court to be much more entertaining than criminal court, although I'd still prefer to be doing other stuff on my day off.
This. The only time I can have someone proffer for me is circuit court plea agreements. If I had someone stand for me during a traffic appeal the judge would issue a show cause.
