I hate the legal system.

[Integrityfailure]

So, like, the 1st of december last year, I was driving around a corner on my way home from work, (there's no line around this corner, whatsoever) going 10 under the speed limit, and I kinda took it wide, and was on the yellow line, but there weren't any cars around, or anything of that sort. So I see a cop coming twords me, from the opposite direction, and shrugged, figuring I hadn't done anything wrong, then I see his lights come on, (He was about 1/4 behind me, at this point) and my gut flipped, and I slowed down and signalled, to show my intentions of pulling over. So anyways, I get completely off the road, with about 4 feet of room for him to stand WELL off the road, and I stopped way before he even got there, and he gets out of his car in a huff, and asks me "Son, do you know what I'm stopping you for?" and I said "Uhmm.. I took the corner a little wide?" and he says "You think maybe you were going a little too fast?" I said, "uhh, I guess..maybe." So he asks for my license and registration, and walked back to his car.
So about 10 minutes later he comes up, and says "Sorry about the wait, there's a lag between the washington and oregon DMVS." (I live in washington, and work in oregon) So blah blah, he gives me a ticket for Failure to maintain a single lane, which has a hefty $237 fine. So I thanked him, and went on my way.

So then, 15 days later or whatever, I went to the court, and told the clerk I wanted to plea not guilty, and she said ok, and sent me on my way with a trial date for the 19th of january.

So, the 10th of january, I got in an accident, (fell asleep while driving, at about 65,(I wasn't speeding) and jumped a huge ditch, hit a telephone pole mid air, then a tree, then rolled my car like 4 times before finally coming to a stop) anyways, a cop came to the scene, and was really nice, and was helping me move my stuff out of the car, to a friends car, and he wrote me a ticket for, none other then Failure to maintain a single lane, and he said he'd be more then happy to drop it if I talked with the guy who owned the property I crashed on, and asked him if I could replant his rasberry plants or whatever.. Anyways,
the date on that ticket was the 20th of feb. So I go to the courthouse on the 19th of Jan, and show the clerk the paper saying I had a trial, and she told me to go into the courtroom.
The judge calls my name, and then asks me how I want to plea, I said not guilty, and then he sent me on my way, and I was wondering wtf, and the lady gave me *another* court date. So I just put it asside, as I had quite a bit of stuff going on in my life. So 4-5 days later, I get this letter telling me I failed to appear, and that my license was suspended in oregon. So I call the court, and after about 20 minutes of talking, the lady says, "Oh, you came for the wrong ticket, so your license is suspended." I was confuised, so I tried to get some more info, and she just got pissed, and hung up on me. So I get a ride in with my mom (about a 2 and a half hour drive) (as my license was suspended) , and we brought all the paperwork, and asked the court clerk about it, and one of them was curious, and actually trying to help figure out what had happened, but the other one just kept saying "It's your problem." so after about 20 minutes of arguing, I find out DESPITE my showing the clerk the paper, saying I had a trial, she (the angry one) checked me in for an araignment (sp) on the ticket for the 20th of Feb. Once we figured that out they said I'd just have to come in and see the judge some other day. Next day, I came in, and they send me in, I get up to the judge, and without even waiting for me to say a word, he just says "What don't you understand?" in a threatening tone, and I asked him why the clerks would check me in for arraignment, when I had a trial, and if he could do anything about it. Apparently that just pushed his buttons, or something, because he got pissed and was insulting me, and my mother, who had nothing to do with this. So I finally said "Ok, nevermind, forget I asked." I wound up having to pay BOTH the tickets full price, which took care of the suspension, it just cost a whole lot of money to a 17 year old, So now, yesterday, I recieve notice that my driver's license has been suspended for 6 months. Which is wonderful, because I live in the middle of nowhere, and all my friends live about 2 hours away, and I work 3 hours away, and on top of that I'm done with high school, so I basically have to sit around the house for the next 6 months, except when I get a ride somewhere. (Maybe once every other week) Regardless, what I'm wondering here, is if there's ANYTHING I can do to get my license back, after all that. Anyone have any ideas?
- Sam

[lwpat]

There should be information on the notice advising you of how to appeal. Usually the DMV will then schedule a hearing. If you are not sure take all of your paperwork including your receipts from the court and go down to your local DMV. It is possible that the paperwork has not caught up and they can straighten it out right there.

[Cadillakin'98]

Yep, the next step in the judicial system would be to appeal the judges ruling(s). This of course means your case gets taken to the next level of the judicial system (for instance: say you just went through the municipal <city/town> courts, next would be county courts).
You mentioned you're 17 yrs old so I want to point something out for you so you won't be disappointed. Appeals cost ALOT money, time, and stress. By the time you start going through the proper procedures, you will start to realize that you have spent more than the amount for the tickets, more than 6 months of time fighting the system, and more anger and headache getting pissed off trying to learn everything and handle the process properly. And also remember that the judical system is a VERY FORMAL environment. R

[Cadillakin'98]

.........continued........

[Cadillakin'98]

RESPECT EVERYONE YOU SPEAK WITH WHEN YOU HANDLE THIS. No matter how much it sucks and no matter how anal clerks, judges, etc. are being, give them total respect and NEVER argue with them. This will get you absolutely nowhere, I promise. Kill them with kindness. If they call you a piece of $#*%, tell them, "I understand and I apologize that I am a piece of $#*% maam/sir...."

Trust me dude, I have seen many levels of the legal system. I'm not proud of the fact nor do I believe anyone should accept being called a piece of $#*%. Personally if I was you, I would pay the fines, and take the 6 month suspension of your license, and move on. Don't let them bring you down. Do I think it's right and/or fair? Based on what you've said, absolutely not. I think it sucks a 17 year old guy has to learn this stuff so soon. In reality, you have just barely been legally considered an adult.

There is one other thing you might be able to do. I live in Texas and I'm about to go through this license suspension crap (2 no insurance tickets). In our state you can file for an "SR-22". Basically, this is a permit to use a motor vehicle for transportation purposes to get to and from work ONLY. Your license is still suspended but if you were to get pulled over on the way to work, or on the way home, you are ok, legally. If caught driving any other time, well........... thats another story for sure. Anyways, I don't know if your state has something like this or what it's called but I'd check into it. It will also help out on your insurance from going so high if completed successfully.

Sorry your having to go through this crap, but hopefully I've given you some insight on what to expect. And hopefully I have given you some helpful advise. Good luck.

[Dreamspawn]

HOLD up the cop wrote u a ticket the second time for failure to maintian a line correct. Did the cop see you wreak? If not he CAN NOT write a ticket. The police officer has to see the "action in question" to write u a ticket. Like if u see a Drunk Driver u call the police they can come and look for him and see if he appears to be. BUT they can't write him a ticket on your word or nebody elses. Like i had a hydro plaining incident one day a off duty cop pulled me out of my car "he said i punched the throttle at the light" after another officer took me away from the incident just to get the other guy off his/my back he said he can't do nething also he mentioned after i hydroplanned the car my have sounded like i punched it cause the loss of traction would have spun the engine rpms up.

[Integrityfailure]

Thank you both very much for the replies, as much as I would enjoy taking it to circuit court, or whatnot, I doubt it would help out, as all I have is my word, and a ticket that says I'm Sex: W and Race: M .. which, I doubt would get me very far. Thanks again,
-Sam

[Igovert500]

Go for the restricted work/school license mentioned above...I have an aquiantance that has 2 or 3 DWIs (yeah he's an idiot) and he still can drive to work and school.

[lamehonda]

I don't think that any 17 y/o now matter what race or sex they are has much of a chance at fighting the legal system unless they are rich brats.