Representing myself in court
03-17-2008 | 11:36 AM
#1
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Representing myself in court
I have to appear in court tomorrow ( March 17, 08 ) for speeding (114km/h in a 70km/h zone. However I haven't gotten a lawyer yet so I will have to represent myself. I would like to get rid of some questions that keep bothering me before I go.
I plead not guilty.
1.)Is it too late to call and reschedule the trial?
- Do I need a good reason to do so? There was a loss in the family a few days ago and I also have a few exams at school this week with 1 being on the day of court. These are the real reasons why, are these good enough to have the trial rescheduled if it's not too late?
- What are some good reasons if mine aren't persuasive enough?
2.)Is it too late to get a lawyer (I already emailed a few this weekend for quotes/online consultation, still awaiting for a reply)?
3.)If I decide to not appear in court (most definitely won't happen, but who knows), are there any court fees or can they increase my ticket charge?
4.) When speaking to the judge, do I say, "Your honor"? or is that just for the United States? I took law in highschool and can recall being told it was something else for Canada.
5.)What would "you" personally do if you were in my situation?
I plead not guilty.
1.)Is it too late to call and reschedule the trial?
- Do I need a good reason to do so? There was a loss in the family a few days ago and I also have a few exams at school this week with 1 being on the day of court. These are the real reasons why, are these good enough to have the trial rescheduled if it's not too late?
- What are some good reasons if mine aren't persuasive enough?
2.)Is it too late to get a lawyer (I already emailed a few this weekend for quotes/online consultation, still awaiting for a reply)?
3.)If I decide to not appear in court (most definitely won't happen, but who knows), are there any court fees or can they increase my ticket charge?
4.) When speaking to the judge, do I say, "Your honor"? or is that just for the United States? I took law in highschool and can recall being told it was something else for Canada.
5.)What would "you" personally do if you were in my situation?
03-17-2008 | 12:13 PM
#2
Sorry bro - not much you can really do - probably already in court.
Either way - in the event another member gets in the same situation:
1) You can try to reschedule using those reasons - however, they may ask for a death certificate. no matter what - it's a 50/50 shot, depending how nice the office is.
2) Go to x-Coppers or something and see if they can do a rush representation job
3) Failure to appear is automatically guilty - there will then be a warrant for arraignment (at least that's the law in Michigan)
4) it's "Your Majesty" - following British rule.
5) I would've hired a lawyer the moment I got my court date.
You can always - walk in front of a bus and get rushed to the hospital...just say you were on your way to court. (not advising that at all, by any means)
Either way - in the event another member gets in the same situation:
1) You can try to reschedule using those reasons - however, they may ask for a death certificate. no matter what - it's a 50/50 shot, depending how nice the office is.
2) Go to x-Coppers or something and see if they can do a rush representation job
3) Failure to appear is automatically guilty - there will then be a warrant for arraignment (at least that's the law in Michigan)
4) it's "Your Majesty" - following British rule.
5) I would've hired a lawyer the moment I got my court date.
You can always - walk in front of a bus and get rushed to the hospital...just say you were on your way to court. (not advising that at all, by any means)
03-17-2008 | 01:45 PM
#3
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The answer I was looking for in question 4.) is "Your Worship"
But thanks for the input. Xcoppers are on my way home so I'll stop by see what I can do...although the bus idea isn't too bad
But thanks for the input. Xcoppers are on my way home so I'll stop by see what I can do...although the bus idea isn't too bad
03-18-2008 | 06:17 PM
#6
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 319
From: Toronto, Ontario
Rep Power: 727 Sorry bro - not much you can really do - probably already in court.
Either way - in the event another member gets in the same situation:
1) You can try to reschedule using those reasons - however, they may ask for a death certificate. no matter what - it's a 50/50 shot, depending how nice the office is.
2) Go to x-Coppers or something and see if they can do a rush representation job
3) Failure to appear is automatically guilty - there will then be a warrant for arraignment (at least that's the law in Michigan)
4) it's "Your Majesty" - following British rule.
5) I would've hired a lawyer the moment I got my court date.
You can always - walk in front of a bus and get rushed to the hospital...just say you were on your way to court. (not advising that at all, by any means)
Either way - in the event another member gets in the same situation:
1) You can try to reschedule using those reasons - however, they may ask for a death certificate. no matter what - it's a 50/50 shot, depending how nice the office is.
2) Go to x-Coppers or something and see if they can do a rush representation job
3) Failure to appear is automatically guilty - there will then be a warrant for arraignment (at least that's the law in Michigan)
4) it's "Your Majesty" - following British rule.
5) I would've hired a lawyer the moment I got my court date.
You can always - walk in front of a bus and get rushed to the hospital...just say you were on your way to court. (not advising that at all, by any means)
you obviously have never been to traffic court, nor have you ever used the services of xcoppers. your advice is FTL
03-18-2008 | 06:41 PM
#7
guy - dont ruin it for everyone.
The OP should've known better than to come here the day before his trial.
The original reply was goin to be "your excellency" but I thought it would be a litlle too unbelievable.
But the X-copper thing is true - well it was in my case - kinda. I went to them the day before.
The OP should've known better than to come here the day before his trial.
The original reply was goin to be "your excellency" but I thought it would be a litlle too unbelievable.
But the X-copper thing is true - well it was in my case - kinda. I went to them the day before.
03-19-2008 | 07:51 PM
#10
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I spoke with one of them (xcops) on the phone and I ended up knowing more about the law than her. They sent me an email containing 2 forms which included more grammatical errors than an elementary school student. Anyways, I went to court and represented myself. I approached the prosecutor and we negotiated a plea bargain. Now, the ticket I posted above (114 in a 70) is the wrong one. The actual one was 124 in a 90, which included 4 demerits and $270 fine. The deal we made was i would get 3 demerit points and 110km/h in a 90km/h zone. However, as the prosecutor was stating the fine to the judge, he made a mistake. He said 100km/h in a 90 and when I was asked if this charge is the correct fine I'm pleading guilty to (it took me a little while to get my mind around things because for a second I thought maybe I heard wrong) and I said yes. As the judge finished re-stating the offense, the prosecutor questions him because he thought the judge made the mistake and after the court reporter confirmed 100km/h in a 90, it was over. My fine was 10km/h over the limit, $40 total payable with 0 points 
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