I was less than 5 minutes late for traffic court...Now my case is closed and my bond forfeited...is this right

Question

I received an illegal lane change ticket. I went to the arraignment (early) and pleaded "not-guilty", then my court date was set.

I was caught up in traffic on the way there, which cause me to be less than 5 minutes late. The docket was small that day and my case apparently was the first to be called. I asked was there anything I could do, he replied by stating I could file a motion for continuance, but the city viewed it as being over.

A month later at my new court date, I show up very very early this time. When my name is call the judge is pissed. She goes off on me for being late and waisting everyones time. I appologized profusely, addmitting it was a mistake to be 2 minutes late for court, explained that the docket was small that day, but she still was absolute in here decision. She stated that she would not summon the officer and accusing witness back, because I was late.

It just doesn't feel right that being 2 minutes late counts as guilt. Am I wrong?

Answer 1

The Judge is in charge of the court room. You were late for the court call. You're guilty.

Answer 2

You were late that is how it goes. It completely up to the judge whether or not to excuse you. I'm a police officer and have had cases dismissed for being busy at a 911 call. It happens get over it - move on .

Answer 3

Yes it is how would they have know you were going to be only five minutes late? The have set time for a reason. Court isn't like a doctor's appointment where the doctor shows up late you have to be on time.

Answer 4

1. Always EXPECT traffic delays.
2. Plan to be in court at least 15 min EARLY after allowing for traffic delays.
3. You DID waste everyone's time.

Being late DID NOT count as guilt. Trying to blame the court docket for YOUR tardiness cost you more than being late.

Answer 5

You are completely wrong! You had no respect for the court, or anyone else who was waiting on you. You need to realize that you are not the center of the universe, not a beautiful and unique snowflake and that you have to abide by the same rules we all do.

Answer 6

No you are right, but now you have your share of American "justice".
You can see how much ego and the pettiness of a single overbearing judge goes into actually deliberating GUILT.

You may very well have been innocent to begin with, but does that matter, once you've bruised the judges tiny ego?
NO it doesn't. Just imagine how that type of judgment affects people who are looking at serving YEARS and not just paying a few hundred dollars.

It hurts no one to move your case to the last position in the docket if you are not present. Listen to these arrogant people tell you to put on the big boy pants and that garbage and the judge is god. The judge is a civil servant not there to play a god. And if you ask me, this woman using court time to lecture You about time is a little childish I think for sure.
She hasn't validated her low self esteem enough by putting herself in the position of being a judge that she has to subject you to some menstrual tirade?
The American "justice" system is nothing but another $$$ making scam & joke and those connected to it are nothing,but a bunch of clowns.

Answer 7

Show up on time next time.
Put on the big boy pants and give yourself some time for traffic. That's the way it works in the real world.

Answer 8

Yep...wrong twice! The world doesn't revolve around you. Late is late...plus you where probably guilty of the original charge. You sound like an 'a' hole, and probably deserve more fines and tickets!!

Answer 9

Yes. The judge should have told the entire courtroom to put their heads down for quiet time until you showed up.

Answer 10

Yes, you are wrong. You knew well beforehand what time your court was, and should have alloted for any traffic or other delays. Everyone else made it on time...