Greg Michaels: Morning at Traffic Court

Wow. That was a quick day at court. This post is a follow up to a previous story about contesting a ticket I received in Monmouth for an expired inspection sticker back in July.

The morning started out a little confusing as the address on the "Notice of Trial" letter told me to show up at 145 State St. Augusta at 8:30. After asking a few people, I located the courthouse, which doesn't seem to be on State Street.

The new Augusta courthouse is beautiful, very clean and might I add, comfy. After being mesmerized by the big city atmosphere in the lobby of the building, I amble into "Courtroom #1" where all people with traffic violations were directed.

Not more than a minute or two after sitting in the very cushiony benches, the Assistant District Attorney asks all sitting in the courtroom if they would like to talk with the officer that gave them the summons or the D.A. before trial proceedings. I get in line to talk with the Assistant D.A.

My ticket was for an expired inspection sticker, and the Assistant D.A.asks me if the car is now inspected and if I can prove it. See this is the funny thing, my wife and I traded it in last month. I told them that the car I drove to court in is legal as is the Mazda we bought. In the end, my fine was dropped from $133 to $100. They wouldn't do what I really wanted them to do and that was keep my license from getting the smudge.

I would highly recommend if you get a ticket to contest it, because more times than not, your fine will be discounted, plus you'll get all of that extra time to pay. I was in and out in under 15 minutes.