This week's "Ask the Judge" in Sunday's La Prensa, 4-10

Ask the Judge: Things you don’t say in open court or ask the Judge

1. “Judge will you dismiss my ticket? I have no money.” We don’t dismiss tickets. We will put you on a payment plan or give you a specific time to pay.
2. After you admit to driving your vehicle to court to pay a ticket you say” I left my driver’s license at home and have no insurance.”
3. Plead “no contest” to a violation and demand to explain to the Judge why you are not guilty.
4. Tell the judge that an unsafe lane change is the same as failure to signal and you should only be charged with only one offense.
5. Point out that the peace officer, who stopped you to issue you a traffic ticket, singled you out for a various number of reasons other than a moving violation or is making “his quota.”
6. When you are the plaintiff suing a defendant for lack of services, don’t accuse the defendant of being a “liar, cheat, thief, and scumbag.” Prove your case based on facts.
7. “I am NOT going to pay the fine.” (you will be cited for contempt of court) Saying you can’t pay the fine is a different story and we will work with you.
8. Never use foul language or make derogatory statements.
9. “I didn’t do it” when a video tape is entered into evidence that clearly shows that you did do it.
10.“I am busy, I shouldn’t have to be here wasting time and can we hurry this up?”

All these quotes are ones that have actually been used in Justice of the Peace Pct. 2Court at least once. #1, #3, & #6, are continually used on a weekly basis.

Lastly as always, if you are due in court, be sure to show up to court on time. It is in everyone’s best interest.

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran and a former Journalist.