Fighting a traffic citation

[crewnut34]

We all know that taxation without representation is bad enough, but what really ticks me off is taxation through citation.  Don't get me wrong, if I am driving dangerously and putting others at risk I should be fined.  But for making the choice not to wear my seatbelt?  Who owns me?  I do, not the state!

Here is my question.  If I fight this $125 fine by pleading not guilty and asking for trial, will I negate the financial fine benefit to the city/state?  If I prove I am broke, will they have to provide me a lawyer?  Will there be a chance to politely discuss my belief this law is unconstitutional before a jury?  Possibly even educate them a bit on jury nullification?  If so, it would be worth it even if I end up paying the fine plus court costs.

Anyone had any success or experience doing such?  Any suggestions? 

[crewnut34]

I'm sorry, I just noticed the Questions thread on the boards.  Mods, if you need to please move. 

[snowdog2012]

1. Plead not guilty. (clog up the system)

2. Refuse any plea deal (ask for a trial costing the system money)

3. If you lose the case, now is the time to go Robin Hooding. (check Robin Hood legality in your area first) Calculate how many parking tickets you need to prevent to equal your fine plus costs. (This transfers your fine as kind charity gift to motorists and denies the State your revenue.)

Robin Hooding in Keene NH, Derrick J. & Rapsher

[crewnut34]

Thanks snowdog, the robin hooding thing didn't occur to me.  If everyone did this instead of mailing it in, the incentive for nonsense laws like this would be removed!

[Diogenes The Cynic]

Snowdog. Thats pretty smart.

Dude, traffic fines are a form of extrajudicial punishment as far as I'm concerned. They preserve the veneer of a court by putting a judge there, but their states rule is that if its the word of a cop to your word, the judge will believe the cop. Thats what they openly say!

Thats why you can't get a jury trial for a traffic ticket.

You can't clog up the system very efficiently. Your best bet might be to ask for jail time instead of paying them anything. Then its a cost to them (a cost to you too). Depends on how spiteful you are.

For retribution you can either robinhood, or take a pound of quikcrete with you to the court. Before trial, go to the bathroom, and dump it into a toilet, and let it sit for a minute before flushing. if it clogs, that will be a few thousand in repairs. Way more than they extorted from you.

[crewnut34]

Love the quickcrete idea. Pretty hard to get a fifty pound bag of it into the building under your coat tho....

[Diogenes The Cynic]

Love the quickcrete idea. Pretty hard to get a fifty pound bag of it into the building under your coat tho....

A pound will probably be enough.

And it'll fit into a ziplock bag.