Don't traffic tickets involve a blatant conflict-of-interest?

Question

Let's see, if the judge finds you guilty, they get your money.
If the judge finds you NOT guilty, the DON'T get your money.
Gee, how do you think they're going to find?

Now, I'm no legal expert, but isn't that a conflict of interest? The cops & judges should be forced to just give the money to charity, instead of keeping it, lest the cities & counties grow too dependent on traffic ticket revenue, and begin to abuse the process, as they are now.

Answer 1

As long as people break the law we will just take your money it's easy. Stop breaking the law and you won't have to pay.

Answer 2

Although I haven't gotten a ticket in 15 years (I live in an area where traffic tickets are for violators, not just a revenue enhancement), I can agree that some areas abuse the legal process.

There are places where the police will ticket you for failure to signal, even though no one else was around. Or ticket you for 'not coming to a COMPLETE stop' at that stop sign, even though you took a full minute to make your 12 yr old rebuckle his seatbelt. Or the best one yet, a 50 mph main road that slows down to 30 mph in one section that is a speed trap. So if you're doing 30 as posted, you're pulled over and ticketed for 'impeding traffic'. Sure, you can argue it, but judges are part of the revenue enhancement system, and part of the fine goes to the judicial retirement fund.

More arguments? How about when cops are fired for not writing enough traffic tickets, which seem to be more important than patrolling neighborhoods to keep them safe?

Such communities are usually small ones that can't support themselves on taxes alone. Best thing is to move out of them, or avoid them on your drives. Governor Lester Maddox posted a huge billboard outside Ludowici, Georgia warning motorists that they were entering the worst speed trap in the entire state. He kept it there until the city cleaned up its act. (Took awhile, too.)

Answer 3

Take it from me the judges don't care how many people are convicted of traffic violations. I usually don't care if someone gets off for one I write either.

I don't see a dime of the money. I wish I did.

Most of the money levied from traffic fines go to the education system in my state.

Can the poster above provide an example of an officer being fired for not writing enough citations? I want a news story from a credible source.

Answer 4

Money from traffic tickets goes to a general fund, where the judges and police have no control over it. The city council or county board decide where it goes. These people are elected officials, and are put there to serve your interest. If they don't, you vote for someone else.

Answer 5

Tell you what, pilgrim, you just argue that next time you are in court, I am sure it will get all the attention it deserves.

But, think of this first. Ticket revenue is tax revenue. It is VOLUNTARY tax revenue. Everybody who speeds, or commits any traffic violation, is telling the world they want to pay those voluntary taxes. I have not paid any voluntary taxes since 1984.

Answer 6

Judges don't really care. They don't get a pay increase if they find guilty on so many tickets.

Answer 7

Do tell, what did you get nailed for and how much was the fine?
Make an appointment to see the police chaplain and get your TS card punched.

Answer 8

you got a point all though, you could stop breaking the law. I personally dont agree with seat belt laws, so i dont wear my seat belt. I'm free, of sound mind, and am capable of making an educated decision for myself on a topic that the consequince would bring no harm to anyone but me. I dont know what to tell you. :)

Answer 9

it's a racket. an old one too. it's a kind of tax is all. if you're willing to pay additional fees, almost any traffic issue can go away. isn't america great?