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1
General / Re: I am a illegal jogger! (California)
« on: July 18, 2009, 02:25:09 AM »HAha.. Oh my, in my experience, the state is very, very protective of its levies. This reminds me back in college some friends and I were driving on a levee a lot like the one you pictured. Spinning the tires a bit, just taking an old Ford pickup out for fun. This was an inland area next to a small lake(we are 5 hours from the coast), so the water level didn't rise or change. Well the police found us and told us we were ENDANGERING the town by weakening the levy. Fortunately we knew the judge's daughter, so we were only sentenced to the hard labor of messing around with shovels on the levy one day to even it out. The funniest part was the levy was over 50 feet tall. You could take a tank up there and knock huge chunks of dirt around and not cause the slightest bit of damage to the levy. We all had a good laugh, but at the same time, it was a little scary that they were that serious about their levy, and their defense of the levy in terms of "protecting the town" from a flood was so utterly illogical. So I'm warning you, you may want to stay off that levy!
It isn't completely prohibited to use the path, they just don't want me on there at night for some bullshit reasons.
Would you look at that, imageshack brought my sign snapshot back up.
2
General / Re: "Using a cellphone while driving" infraction. (California)
« on: July 17, 2009, 07:25:09 PM »If you are going to court over money and the plaintiff is the government, I really don't think you can win. Either by having to pay out of your pocket or waste your time.
Right. Just as there should be separation of church and state, there should be a separation of justice and state.
3
General / Re: "Using a cellphone while driving" infraction. (California)
« on: July 17, 2009, 07:14:52 PM »I could have told you that.
Well, you didn't!
Shish.. Why does government need to be so complicated? I think it would be great if all politicians were replaced by Linux programmers who follow the KISS philosophy. "Keep it simple, stupid!"
4
General / Re: "Using a cellphone while driving" infraction. (California)
« on: July 17, 2009, 07:04:48 PM »
Update:
Today is the day that I was scheduled to go to court.
I got into the court room and was seated among about two dozen other people so were here with their infraction dispute. Admittedly, I showed up about a minute late and as such I missed out when my name was called for roll. For being late, I was entered as last in the queue. The sherriff who had pulled me over was there.
They proceeded to play an audio recording with advice toward different traffic violations and explained what pleading "guilty," "not guilty," or "no contest" meant. After this, the woman commissioner playing the role of judge walked into the room and took her seat.
Each person would be called up to the podium. She, the commissioner, would tell you the law you violated, then often jokingly ridicule each person, and ask you what you plead. I found her joking demeanor to be offensive and rather morbid. Like one person who on two separate days played loud music while driving, "well, you shouldn't play your music so loud," and went on to making him pay $100 when he pled guilty. I guess I should be thankful that she wasn't a Judge Judy-shouting bitch-on-wheels.
I noticed early on the tactic she was using, everybody who pled guilty or no contest received a reduction to their fine. I imagine that this is an incentive so that you'll just give up. What I found really strange is that if you chose "not guilty" that they wouldn't dispute it on that day. They reschedule you to come back within the next 45 days to, I assume, have a REAL court case. Don't I have the right to a speedy trial? This must be some kind of loop hole.
Finally, I was called up. She went through the process and asked me what I pled. I told her "you really have me in a bind.." She physically turned around to see if I was talking to somebody behind her. She questioned my statement, making it clear that it is completely my fault that I'm in this predicament, as if it isn't the state for enforcing such shitty laws. I explained that I've had come here several times to settle this, that it has been very costly. I also explained that I'm a poor college student and though I wish to plead not guilty and fight this, that it is all becoming far too troublesome for me. She showed no empathy toward me and sternly came to the conclusion that basically I wanted to plead no contest, and that's what I did. She reduced my original $127 down to $100 even. On my way out of the court room, the sherriff who had pulled me over said in a playful tone "You go pay your fine now." I didn't want to make trouble, so I just walked away pathetically and only acknowledged him with an agitated monotone "yeah..."
If you get a ticket and you want fight it, this is how it'll work for you in California:
-After two weeks of having received the ticket, you have to go down to your local court house, wait in line, and schedule a court date. (in my case, the court date was a little over two weeks later)
-You come back on the scheduled court date, have to sit through a bunch of bull crap, and then you tell the judge/commissioner that you plead not guilty.
-You'll receive yet another court case. If you waved waiting time (or something like that), it'll be within 45 days.
-You, presumably, get your real court case. I can't tell you the specifics here. I imagine that even if you win they'll take some money from you just for their trouble.
It's a bunch of crap.
The story is over now.
Today is the day that I was scheduled to go to court.
I got into the court room and was seated among about two dozen other people so were here with their infraction dispute. Admittedly, I showed up about a minute late and as such I missed out when my name was called for roll. For being late, I was entered as last in the queue. The sherriff who had pulled me over was there.
They proceeded to play an audio recording with advice toward different traffic violations and explained what pleading "guilty," "not guilty," or "no contest" meant. After this, the woman commissioner playing the role of judge walked into the room and took her seat.
Each person would be called up to the podium. She, the commissioner, would tell you the law you violated, then often jokingly ridicule each person, and ask you what you plead. I found her joking demeanor to be offensive and rather morbid. Like one person who on two separate days played loud music while driving, "well, you shouldn't play your music so loud," and went on to making him pay $100 when he pled guilty. I guess I should be thankful that she wasn't a Judge Judy-shouting bitch-on-wheels.
I noticed early on the tactic she was using, everybody who pled guilty or no contest received a reduction to their fine. I imagine that this is an incentive so that you'll just give up. What I found really strange is that if you chose "not guilty" that they wouldn't dispute it on that day. They reschedule you to come back within the next 45 days to, I assume, have a REAL court case. Don't I have the right to a speedy trial? This must be some kind of loop hole.
Finally, I was called up. She went through the process and asked me what I pled. I told her "you really have me in a bind.." She physically turned around to see if I was talking to somebody behind her. She questioned my statement, making it clear that it is completely my fault that I'm in this predicament, as if it isn't the state for enforcing such shitty laws. I explained that I've had come here several times to settle this, that it has been very costly. I also explained that I'm a poor college student and though I wish to plead not guilty and fight this, that it is all becoming far too troublesome for me. She showed no empathy toward me and sternly came to the conclusion that basically I wanted to plead no contest, and that's what I did. She reduced my original $127 down to $100 even. On my way out of the court room, the sherriff who had pulled me over said in a playful tone "You go pay your fine now." I didn't want to make trouble, so I just walked away pathetically and only acknowledged him with an agitated monotone "yeah..."
If you get a ticket and you want fight it, this is how it'll work for you in California:
-After two weeks of having received the ticket, you have to go down to your local court house, wait in line, and schedule a court date. (in my case, the court date was a little over two weeks later)
-You come back on the scheduled court date, have to sit through a bunch of bull crap, and then you tell the judge/commissioner that you plead not guilty.
-You'll receive yet another court case. If you waved waiting time (or something like that), it'll be within 45 days.
-You, presumably, get your real court case. I can't tell you the specifics here. I imagine that even if you win they'll take some money from you just for their trouble.
It's a bunch of crap.
The story is over now.
5
General / Re: I am a illegal jogger! (California)
« on: July 17, 2009, 03:26:48 AM »
This is weird. For some reason, the picture I uploaded onto imageshack, that had a close up of the sign, is gone. As you can see, all of the other pictures, including a distance shot of the sign, are still up.
I know that a BBS moderator didn't take it down, the imageshack link to it just says "image not found" now.
What reason does imageshack have to take down a snapshot of a sign which prohibits me from running/fishing/hunting on this path?
EDIT: Re-upping the picture using tinypic:
<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i29.tinypic.com/21cceia.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic">[/url]
I know that a BBS moderator didn't take it down, the imageshack link to it just says "image not found" now.
What reason does imageshack have to take down a snapshot of a sign which prohibits me from running/fishing/hunting on this path?
EDIT: Re-upping the picture using tinypic:
<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i29.tinypic.com/21cceia.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic">[/url]
6
General / Re: "Using a cellphone while driving" infraction. (California)
« on: June 30, 2009, 06:02:20 AM »I'm in California and I got one of these tickets and was told that although the ticket says I have a month to pay, the officer has up to a year to file the citation. When the officer gets around to filing the ticket a "courtesy notice" will be sent with my new deadline.
I dealt with it by writing them letters asking various constitutional questions, or whatever other kinds of asinine questions I could think of. Just to waist their time. With each letter they gave me an extension, and it was 6 months before I ended up paying anything.
There should be a phone number and a website address on the ticket where you can check the status of the citation, or even pay it online, but it sounds like you're beyond that.
I'm in California also. If you're close enough to me, and you want some moral support, or a partner of some kind it whatever kind of activism you're interested in maybe I can make it to your trial.
I'm in Stockton. Any support is appreciated.
I really am considering making the move to New Hampshire. I just like how that state is so much more free than California.
7
General / Re: "Using a cellphone while driving" infraction. (California)
« on: June 29, 2009, 07:46:37 PM »Theres a total on the bottom of the ticket. It adds up like a car repair bill.
I can guarantee you the cop totaled it up, because you can just write a check and mail the whole thing in, and be done with it - as has been explained. Which is what they want you to do.
Also, the courthouse is not open the hours as advertised. It'll be open roughly a half hour after the opening time, then they'll break around ten, then they'll go to lunch around 11:30, be back around 12:45, afternoon break around 2, and leave at 3:45-4:00ish
You have a five minute window of opportunity in the morning, and one in the mid-afternoon.
Just pay the fuckin' ticket by mail, you're not gonna get off it.
The cop did not total it up. There is no fine amount on my ticket.
8
General / Re: "Using a cellphone while driving" infraction. (California)
« on: June 29, 2009, 06:33:13 PM »
Update
So I went down to the court house yet again. I had $20 in my pocket and was ready to just pay the fine.
They want me to pay $127 now. Appalled yet again, I ask why it's $127. She tells me that's the fine for driving while using a cellphone.
I retorted by telling her I read the fine was only $20 for first offense. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/
She told me that there are no $20 fines, that there are various fees tacked on. I replied saying "such as?"
I can't remember them all, but she said that there is an infraction fee, a service fee, and a couple of other fees which sum up to $127.
I had enough of this, I asked to go to court. I'm scheduled to go to court on July 17th, at 10:30am. Hopefully, my charges get dropped. Worst case scenario, I'm going to jail. As it is now, I'm steadfast in my decision that I will not pay.
So I went down to the court house yet again. I had $20 in my pocket and was ready to just pay the fine.
They want me to pay $127 now. Appalled yet again, I ask why it's $127. She tells me that's the fine for driving while using a cellphone.
I retorted by telling her I read the fine was only $20 for first offense. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/
She told me that there are no $20 fines, that there are various fees tacked on. I replied saying "such as?"
I can't remember them all, but she said that there is an infraction fee, a service fee, and a couple of other fees which sum up to $127.
I had enough of this, I asked to go to court. I'm scheduled to go to court on July 17th, at 10:30am. Hopefully, my charges get dropped. Worst case scenario, I'm going to jail. As it is now, I'm steadfast in my decision that I will not pay.
9
General / Re: I am a illegal jogger! (California)
« on: June 29, 2009, 04:04:30 AM »I discovered some graffiti for the first time when taking these pictures.
is it any good?
Not really. Just names and brief statements, most of them you can't even read. Most of the graffiti is done with those thick paint markers, not spray paint.
10
General / Re: I am a illegal jogger! (California)
« on: June 29, 2009, 01:38:19 AM »You should be thrown in Jail Indefinitely for jogging at night!! you are a horrible person, and deserve what ever punishment you get!#!%%@$!^
/end sarcasm
Locked in jail and throw away the key.
I've thought about this for a while and the only reason I could think of this area being closed off for is graffiti. I see new writing on the path and drainage pipes occasionally, but that's it. I've never caught anybody in the act of doing it and in the areas that I've seen graffiti, it's too dark at night in those areas. I discovered some graffiti for the first time when taking these pictures. It's obvious that these people are doing it during the day.
If anything, the path should be closed off DURING THE DAY!
11
General / I am a illegal jogger! (California)
« on: June 29, 2009, 12:37:40 AM »
I took up jogging a few years ago as a means to stay in shape. I go out jogging just about every night. I jog at night because it's cooler and it's the most convenient time for me. It has done wonders for me, I'm in the best shape of my life. I really enjoy it.
I've been running on this levee bike path near my house for at least the last two years. I could run alongside the road in this area, but I prefer running this path because I feel that it's safer and I just like the atmosphere.
So I went out the other night like I usually do, at around 1am, and was shocked when I discovered several new signs erected all along my path. Here it is:
As you can see, they don't want me to jog on this path at night anymore. After reading the sign, I went onto committing a criminal offense. I JOGGED ON THE PATH! I'm such a fucking asshole, aren't I? I should be fined or thrown in jail, right? I'm a menace to society! I'm very pissed off about this.
As for the other prohibited things established, I'd like to comment on those:
NO UNAUTHORIZED MOTOR VEHICLES
The path is wide enough that a car can drive on it without issue. Over the years, they've made it horribly difficult to get a car up onto the path. There are only three ways I know of to get a non-4x4 vehicle up it. It really isn't necessary to prohibit this as the hunting and fishing is terrible for the reasons I'm about to mention.
NO HUNTING, NO FISHING
There's nothing to hunt, really. I see cats and occasionally opossums, that's about it. As for the fishing, you'd have to be a complete idiot to fish these waters. The water from resident houses drains off into the levee here. I've been out jogging several times at 5am when some people are getting ready for work, the waters that drain out into the levee is often steaming. The water is filthy, it's a swamp! Anybody who would eat a fish from this water deserves a darwin award. I suppose that they are protecting the idiots, but should an idiot be fined for it? What if I'm only fishing for the sport of it? Just killing time. They should let people do it.
NO FIRES
Once again, another darwin award candidate. Dry yellow grass is no bueno for fire.
I guess I can see reason for these other things, but why restrict my freedom to run on this path at night? I just don't understand.
(I hope you guys liked the pictures. I just went out with my phone a few hours ago to capture them)
(EDIT: MINOR ERROR. I meant 1am)
I've been running on this levee bike path near my house for at least the last two years. I could run alongside the road in this area, but I prefer running this path because I feel that it's safer and I just like the atmosphere.
So I went out the other night like I usually do, at around 1am, and was shocked when I discovered several new signs erected all along my path. Here it is:
As you can see, they don't want me to jog on this path at night anymore. After reading the sign, I went onto committing a criminal offense. I JOGGED ON THE PATH! I'm such a fucking asshole, aren't I? I should be fined or thrown in jail, right? I'm a menace to society! I'm very pissed off about this.
As for the other prohibited things established, I'd like to comment on those:
NO UNAUTHORIZED MOTOR VEHICLES
The path is wide enough that a car can drive on it without issue. Over the years, they've made it horribly difficult to get a car up onto the path. There are only three ways I know of to get a non-4x4 vehicle up it. It really isn't necessary to prohibit this as the hunting and fishing is terrible for the reasons I'm about to mention.
NO HUNTING, NO FISHING
There's nothing to hunt, really. I see cats and occasionally opossums, that's about it. As for the fishing, you'd have to be a complete idiot to fish these waters. The water from resident houses drains off into the levee here. I've been out jogging several times at 5am when some people are getting ready for work, the waters that drain out into the levee is often steaming. The water is filthy, it's a swamp! Anybody who would eat a fish from this water deserves a darwin award. I suppose that they are protecting the idiots, but should an idiot be fined for it? What if I'm only fishing for the sport of it? Just killing time. They should let people do it.
NO FIRES
Once again, another darwin award candidate. Dry yellow grass is no bueno for fire.
I guess I can see reason for these other things, but why restrict my freedom to run on this path at night? I just don't understand.
(I hope you guys liked the pictures. I just went out with my phone a few hours ago to capture them)
(EDIT: MINOR ERROR. I meant 1am)
12
General / Re: "Using a cellphone while driving" infraction. (California)
« on: June 22, 2009, 08:25:57 PM »That's why it's easier to just pay.
Obviously you didn't read my post.
13
General / Re: "Using a cellphone while driving" infraction. (California)
« on: June 22, 2009, 07:07:10 PM »
update
Last Friday night, I got that ticket and made this thread.
The very next afternoon (Saturday), around 2pm I went down to the Police Department to have this settled. The woman at the Police told me that the woman who deals with these car violations is only here Monday through Friday, BUT I could go to the court house by 4:30pm and have it settled there. I shrugged, but I was determined to get this over with today. I never like to procrastinate, I just want to get things over with. I felt pretty low and I'm ready to just concede to the government and let them take my money.
I've never been to the court house (neither the police department, but I just knew where that was because of the big Police sign and the mass of police cars that constantly surround it), so I asked the woman at the Police Department for directions. After heading over and finding the court house (which was only a few blocks away), I tried to get inside. The north door said "EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY," the east door said "EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY", the south door also said "EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY." I was really pissed, as you could imagine. Court houses are BIG, so it took me several minutes to get around it. I FINALLY got to the entrance, the west door!
Guess what? CLOSED!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it! The woman at the police department said I could go today and have it settled. Before heading home, I found a security guard and asked her for information about this. She told me that the woman at the police department was mistaken. The court house is closed Saturday and Sundays. It's open Monday through Friday 7:30am-to-4:30pm. Oh how nice. Those government workers have such a great schedule. Bastards!!
There was nothing to do but wait until Monday..
Today is Monday, after class at the college I go to. I made another trip down to the court house. This time, there were many more people walking around, so it was obviously open. I walk into the west entrance and am immediately stopped by the security. I need to get through a security check much like at an airport. I had to empty my pockets and take off my belt to get through the metal detector. Oh how nice! That they have a monopoly on "justice," that they can make me do this just to pay a fucking fine. It's not over yet though..
I proceed to the line for people dealing with their legal disputes. It was a long line, but I must admit that it went quickly. In a couple of minutes I got to the window and showed the woman my ticket. She looks at it for a moment and types some things on her keyboard and then tells me something like the officer who gave me this ticket hasn't processed his copy or something and I'll have to come back in two weeks. I was completely shocked and appalled. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? I can't just pay the fine today?" and she replies with a "nope." I was furious and stormed out of the court house, drove home, and here I am typing still angry at all this crap.
This is absolutely bullshit! I've already spent more than the $20 fine on gasoline and my time. Now they want me to wait two weeks! The ticket says that I need to have this settled by July 10th. By the time two weeks comes I'll be close to my deadline and if for some reason I can't make it then I will have a warrant out for my arrest! This is insane!
Last Friday night, I got that ticket and made this thread.
The very next afternoon (Saturday), around 2pm I went down to the Police Department to have this settled. The woman at the Police told me that the woman who deals with these car violations is only here Monday through Friday, BUT I could go to the court house by 4:30pm and have it settled there. I shrugged, but I was determined to get this over with today. I never like to procrastinate, I just want to get things over with. I felt pretty low and I'm ready to just concede to the government and let them take my money.
I've never been to the court house (neither the police department, but I just knew where that was because of the big Police sign and the mass of police cars that constantly surround it), so I asked the woman at the Police Department for directions. After heading over and finding the court house (which was only a few blocks away), I tried to get inside. The north door said "EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY," the east door said "EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY", the south door also said "EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY." I was really pissed, as you could imagine. Court houses are BIG, so it took me several minutes to get around it. I FINALLY got to the entrance, the west door!
Guess what? CLOSED!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it! The woman at the police department said I could go today and have it settled. Before heading home, I found a security guard and asked her for information about this. She told me that the woman at the police department was mistaken. The court house is closed Saturday and Sundays. It's open Monday through Friday 7:30am-to-4:30pm. Oh how nice. Those government workers have such a great schedule. Bastards!!
There was nothing to do but wait until Monday..
Today is Monday, after class at the college I go to. I made another trip down to the court house. This time, there were many more people walking around, so it was obviously open. I walk into the west entrance and am immediately stopped by the security. I need to get through a security check much like at an airport. I had to empty my pockets and take off my belt to get through the metal detector. Oh how nice! That they have a monopoly on "justice," that they can make me do this just to pay a fucking fine. It's not over yet though..
I proceed to the line for people dealing with their legal disputes. It was a long line, but I must admit that it went quickly. In a couple of minutes I got to the window and showed the woman my ticket. She looks at it for a moment and types some things on her keyboard and then tells me something like the officer who gave me this ticket hasn't processed his copy or something and I'll have to come back in two weeks. I was completely shocked and appalled. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? I can't just pay the fine today?" and she replies with a "nope." I was furious and stormed out of the court house, drove home, and here I am typing still angry at all this crap.
This is absolutely bullshit! I've already spent more than the $20 fine on gasoline and my time. Now they want me to wait two weeks! The ticket says that I need to have this settled by July 10th. By the time two weeks comes I'll be close to my deadline and if for some reason I can't make it then I will have a warrant out for my arrest! This is insane!
14
General / Re: Debunking Libertarian Myths About Immigration Laws in the 1800s and Early 1900s
« on: June 20, 2009, 05:37:52 AM »
From what I've heard in government schools, immigration laws are very lax during times of prosperity. They are cheap labor.
But, when recessions occur they're made out as scapegoats and being the blame for our economic issues.
But, when recessions occur they're made out as scapegoats and being the blame for our economic issues.
15
General / Re: "Using a cellphone while driving" infraction. (California)
« on: June 20, 2009, 02:51:09 AM »
The more I think about what happened, the more angry I feel. I want to contest this.
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