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Apparently all of those lawyers who get elected to political office forgot why we have plea bargains. Expect the days of three to four hour backups in traffic court to return.
What's funny is the fines are being labeled excessive, but they were what the legislature had previously set. If the fine ranges from $150 to $500, how is $350 excessive?
http://www.indystar.com/article/2010...+RSS+-+Indiana)
New traffic court law fixes excessive fines
Starting July 1, limits are set for those who contest tickets
You couldn't have been going that fast. No way you ran that red light.
If you want to have your day in court, a new law will make it easier -- without the risk of losing your shirt.
A law going into effect July 1 cracks down on excessive fines in traffic courts across the state. Gov. Mitch Daniels signed the bill Wednesday.
The bill, which sailed through the House and Senate, took direct aim at Marion Superior Court Judge Bill Young. In just more than a year overseeing traffic court, Young built a reputation for slamming motorists who insisted on a trial and lost, issuing double or more than triple the standard $150 in fines and costs.
Senate Enrolled Act 399 sets a series of maximum fines within the $500 limit under state law for moving violations that are Class C infractions.
That includes speeding -- except in school or construction zones -- and violations at stop signs and stoplights.
The law now will take into account the person's history of losing attempts to contest tickets and will restrict higher fines based on several scenarios:
» $35.50: Admit to violation on or before court date, or contest the violation in court and lose (with no previous moving violations contested unsuccessfully in the same county within five years).
» $250.50: Contest the violation in court and lose (with one previous losing attempt).
» $500: Contest the violation in court and lose (with two or more previous losing attempts).
All of these fines get added to $114.50 in court costs and fees charged by each county for Class C infractions.
The changes won't affect the reason judges side with ticketing officers most of the time.
"The standard of proof is the same," Young said. "It's whether it's more likely than not that you committed the infraction."
What's funny is the fines are being labeled excessive, but they were what the legislature had previously set. If the fine ranges from $150 to $500, how is $350 excessive?
http://www.indystar.com/article/2010...+RSS+-+Indiana)
New traffic court law fixes excessive fines
Starting July 1, limits are set for those who contest tickets
You couldn't have been going that fast. No way you ran that red light.
If you want to have your day in court, a new law will make it easier -- without the risk of losing your shirt.
A law going into effect July 1 cracks down on excessive fines in traffic courts across the state. Gov. Mitch Daniels signed the bill Wednesday.
The bill, which sailed through the House and Senate, took direct aim at Marion Superior Court Judge Bill Young. In just more than a year overseeing traffic court, Young built a reputation for slamming motorists who insisted on a trial and lost, issuing double or more than triple the standard $150 in fines and costs.
Senate Enrolled Act 399 sets a series of maximum fines within the $500 limit under state law for moving violations that are Class C infractions.
That includes speeding -- except in school or construction zones -- and violations at stop signs and stoplights.
The law now will take into account the person's history of losing attempts to contest tickets and will restrict higher fines based on several scenarios:
» $35.50: Admit to violation on or before court date, or contest the violation in court and lose (with no previous moving violations contested unsuccessfully in the same county within five years).
» $250.50: Contest the violation in court and lose (with one previous losing attempt).
» $500: Contest the violation in court and lose (with two or more previous losing attempts).
All of these fines get added to $114.50 in court costs and fees charged by each county for Class C infractions.
The changes won't affect the reason judges side with ticketing officers most of the time.
"The standard of proof is the same," Young said. "It's whether it's more likely than not that you committed the infraction."
One was 55 in a 45, the other was imprudent speed for conditions. This was right after the snowstorm. Story he tells is that the officer was doing 50ish when my coworker passed him on the left
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