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. 

[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.