Dear Diary,
In September of this year I got my first speeding ticket at 17 years old. I was doing 74 in a 45 zone to pass someone and a state trooper caught me on radar.
A little up the road I see flashing lights in my mirrors, I had hoped he was after someone else but it was apparent that I was the target when I pulled over and he pulled up behind me.
The procedure was pretty standard. He asked why I was speeding, he told me how fast I was going, asked for my license and insurance proof among a few other things.
I texted my mom immediately, since I was on her insurance, it's not something I can keep from her.
Since I was 17 at the time I was required to go to court and let a judge determine my fate instead of being able to just pay the ticket itself.
Yesterday, November 15th at 1:00 over a month after the initial incident I had gone to juvenile court.
First impressions:
The building on the outside was very government looking. Tall pillars, an American flag, decorated with gardens all around the front.
We parked behind the building, went through the back door and right up the stairs to speak with staff that deal with juvenile cases.
I found that the interior was very cozy, it was just plain white painted brick walls, they had carpets, rugs, pictures on the walls, and it was a rather small section of the building so there wasn't so much open space.
I was given a paper, was instructed to checkmark 1/3 options for the first question and 1/2 options for the second.
The first question was asking whether I pled guilty, not guilty, or to extend the trial and return with an attorney.
I checked "guilty".
The second question plainly asked if I had an attorney with me. It gave the option to be provided a free one if I qualify. I checked "no" that I didn't have or want an attorney.
My mom basically intructed that I admit to everything and just bear the consequences so that's what I did.
After I answered the questions, the lady asked that I stand and wait outside the court room. A minute the judges assistant (I think) opened and led us into the room.
It was not what I expected at all. The only court rooms I've seen are the ones on TV during the live trials, this room like the rest of this section of the building was small as well. I was much closer to the judge than I thought I would be.
The assistant instructed me and my mother to take a seat at the desk at the point of the triangle formation in which the desks for each rank was placed.
We sat.
This room as well was cozy for all the same reasons as the hallway, they even had a chandelier hanging, the colors weren't bright but not dull- sort of pastel.
The assistant told us that we shall rise when the judge enters the room and fall when the judge himself says to.
Once all these things took place the conversation with him got casual pretty fast. He wasn't super strict or anything like I had expected.
He just explained my options based on my situation.
Since I pled guilty, he went straight into telling me what he was gonna do, what he did to all first time teenage offenders.
A 1 time 20$ Class which occurs once every 6 weeks, thankfully mine happens to be this Saturday.
30 Days of driving probation which leaves me restricted to work and school activities.
Lastly 115$ in court fines.
I was pretty upset after this was all done but when I got handed the paper with the list of things he could've done and saw he only circled 2 things... I was grateful to say the least.
I think I can get the money in time.
I'm a doordash employee but around my area there aren't too many orders so I don't get very much money. I'm saving everything I can though so I can at the least pay my fines.
I have no intentions on actually abiding by the driving restrictions either.
So really the annoying thing abt all this is the court fines totaling at 135$.