Ticket advice...

[Ryan T]

I'm in court at least 2 times a week and see more of these cases than I ever care to see and 9.8/10 times the commonwealths attorney isn't even involved in the proceedings. The cop stands by the bench/sits at a table depending on the setup and the judge rolls through all the tickets issued by that officer for that particular court date. Those that can prepay usually do, and of the ones that don't more than half don't show up. If the person doesn't show the judge asks if the person was cooperative and based upon the officers answer issues a fine ranging anywhere from $100-$1500. For those that show and it is there first offense the judge doesn't always ask for a plea immediantely. He asks them what they'd like to say. They say they were speeding, they know they were speeding, it's their first offense, they learned their lesson, they apologize, they want driving school blah blah. Judge then says he can issue a fine or he can take it under advisement for 90 days pending completion of a driving school. Complete the driving school and give proof to the court within the required amount of time and the charge is dismissed and you pay $71 in court costs.

Dunno if that'll work for you up there, but all 6 courts I serve and their respective judges handle cases that way.