Flabbergasted! That’s what I am. Just flabbergasted!

Yesterday, I went to court for the speeding ticket that I had blogged about a month or so ago. The officer testified that he registered a gray car in the far left lane closest to the median and farthest from him. He also testified, that no cars were around me. I called my witness, who was in the car with me. She was not allowed in court during the officer’s testimony. I asked her, which lane was I in? She answered, the far right lane closest to the state trooper. I asked, how much traffic was on the road? She said cars were speeding around us. One of those cars was a gray Ford Fusion in the farthest lane over. She also testified that I was going the speed limit and that she keeps a close eye on both the speedometer and the surrounding traffic. The prosecutor made a smart ass comment about how she could see two things at once, when I reminded the judge that being able to see what was in front and around was called peripheral vision. He agreed with me. Remember, she had not heard the previous testimony and backed up everything I said. After her testimony and mine, the prosecutor called back the officer. The prosecutor, who was not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, did catch on to my line of questioning and realized that his witness had made a number of mistakes. So he asked the officer if he ever lost sight of me after he had me in his sights. The officer said he never lost sight of me. I asked him how that was possible when he was behind his vehicle and I lost sight of him. The judge agreed that there was no way he kept his eyes on me the whole time. He then asked if I wanted to testify. I said that I did, and I told my story, just as it happened. Then the judge asked if there were any further testimony or questions….

When no one had anything else to add, the judge said he found me guilty. What the hell!!! The officer was clearly unable to tell which car was which. He could not remember what lane I was in, and he lied about losing sight of me. The judge agreed with me on each and every point. So how the hell did he find me guilty? The prosecutor was able to prove nothing. I was told that I could appeal it and go before a the circuit court and receive a jury trial. If I did this though, I’d have to pay a $400 bond for the appeal. I knew I could not try this on my own in circuit court, and I couldn’t pay the $400, so I paid the $200 for the ticket and left the court.

I can’t begin to describe my disappointment in the Alabama judicial system. It was an absolute farce. It would not have mattered if I could have had Jesus Christ himself testify on my behalf, the judge would have still ruled against me.