Another day in traffic court
Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at 10:52PM When I was in school - I can't remember which grade, but it must have been 25 years ago - they scared us one day by taking us to court. We got to meet the judge in his chambers, and then we sat in the public gallery and watched a few trials.
I forget exactly what the charges were - maybe they spat on a sidewalk or didn't return a shopping cart after they loaded their cars - but we sat stunned as we watched the underbelly of society stand before the law. Maybe they were trying to deter us from a life of crime, and I guess it worked. It was the eighties version of a reality show.
Today, I went to court. Nothing major; it was just traffic court. I was filing a motion to appeal my conviction, after allegedly failing to completely stop at a stop sign in 2004.
I never stepped in a courtroom today; that will have to wait another 18 months or so, long after the demerit points are stricken from my record. (What's the use? I asked myself today.) But I've sure seen a different side of people.
People take a number, and wait for their turn. They go up to the window and, quite often, get agitated with the clerk on the other side of the glass. You could run a sociology class in that room.
I'm thinking of becoming a chaplain to the traffic court. Just throw on a collar and hang around, looking for people who are about to blow a blood vessel.
I've seen drivers hauled away in handcuffs. (I was called up next by the way. Lucky for me, I got off a bit easier.) I've seen people brought in by police in cuffs. I've seen young guys fined $15,000. I've seen old men who can barely walk try to communicate their anger in a second language. I've seen it all.
Chaplain to the traffic court. That just may be my next calling. I've heard of stranger vocations.
Reader Comments (7)
I can hear you now...(in stark contrast to those about to stroke out): "Excuse me, sorry to bother you. Are you having a good day? I was just wondering if you could help me..." You'd be great as a chaplain to traffic court - you'd probably have something of a regular 'congregation'!
My brother. A Pastor. And one of the "underbellies" of society. I think I'll wear a bag over my head....
Yeah, Yeah. I know. A bag over my head has to be an improvement, right? : )
Hee! What a wonderful idea! I have often thought about being a chaplain at the Social Security office here. Similar experiences as in traffic court, only I'd get to do it in spanish!
so did you have your day in court yet?..... how did that go?......
Another 18 months before my court date, May. Not a fast process.
All this hassle over a few demerit points and fine. Must be the principle of the thing. My Brother, tilting at windmills... I know the feeling well. Go get 'em Darryl. Don't let 'em away with it. I'm with you all the way. I'll even bail you out if necessary! :-)