Contested Citation

[The Man]

I wrote two citations as a Park Ranger three months ago and now they are being contested. The bad thing is I no longer work as a Park Ranger because I was hired by a Sheriff's Department and I start their academy next week (24th April). I worked over 1 year as a Park Ranger, giving out nearly 15 citations every month, none of which were contested; finally, when I leave the Department I get two contested citations, just my luck. Well, my main question is: (1) if it is going through traffic court will I get in trouble for not going; and (2) if I do go will my academy instructors get peeved since it will be on two different days and they fall on the 3rd week of training? Thank you for your help.

[CTUCop]

I don't know how it works there, but here if the officer can't go, another person from the dept can go. But in most cases, there isn't a big problem with no showing up when it's an minor infraction. But it is always wise to let the court know of a problem beforehand.

I've been requested before while on vacation or whatever. No one has gone and the case is usually just dismissed.

[Oldbillplod]

If we are summonsed then we have to attend unless there is a genuine reason.
I have been threatened with arrest before now as I couldn't make crown court, of course this is the UK so is just my opinion.

[The Man]

Thanks! Would you happen to know if it would bother an instructor at an academy? Did you ever miss days when you went to the academy? I've always been among the top of my class (College and Military) therefore I do not want to start off on the wrong foot. Also, my old boss is insisting that I should go because they have a mandatory policy. I've already been hired and I'm not too worried anymore about his recomendation for now, but if I switch departments this might come up during future background investigations if I don't show up in court.

[7mmMag]

Find out who the prosecutor is, and contact him/her. Let them know whats going on, they may just jell you to not worry about it, or they may reschedule. Of course, every jurisdiction is different, and this is how I would handle it.

[Legoate]

I'd just let your academy staff know. I'm guessing that they are all cops (or were) and they know how things happen with the court system.

I'll tell you already that attending an academy isn't a valid excuse for the CA court system. If you miss court the ticket will be dismissed, and you can be fined or have a warrant issued for your arrest. Besides, it makes you and your dept look bad when you miss court.

Just tell the academy that you have court, it shouldn't be any problem. Court and illness were two of the only valid excuses for missing a day at my academy. Besides, traffic court should only take a couple hours of your time, and if you are a police recruit it can be an educational experience.

[phantasm]

Some people who I went through the academy with for NYPD had summonses while they were traffic agents (non sworn members of the NYPD) come up for court, and they were given excusals from the academy to tesitfy in traffic court. But if I should change to another department (say NYSP or another department within the state) I will not be held responsible for any summonses written for the NYPD.

[corporal716]

I had the same problem on the first of my now many department changes. :rolleyes: That fist sentence doesn't sound very encouraging, but trust me other than the medical retirement they were all upward moves.

Anyway, I didn't go to court on the cite. After talking to some people, I realized the education I got that day in the academy was much more important than losing one traffic case.

Unless you are going to get into trouble with the court for failing to appear. I would go to the academy that day.

[acreature]

Infractions? Screw 'em

Misdemeanors? Maybe... according to severity, and if there are victims other than the state.

Felonies? Must go yo!

[kels]

Call the prosecutor and let them know about the upcoming academy.
The worse that can happen that they want you to show up.
You could ask them to dismiss the charges.
That would make everyone happy:D
Usually the academy doesnt like letting you out for traffic court.
But they can. You will probably have to make it up later.

Good luck with the academy

[The Man]

Thanks guys! I tried calling the court house to get the citations dismissed but they gave me the run-around. In the end, I just hung up. It is the most minor infraction that one could possibly have for our department (driving in a part of the park that was closed). I did not want to give the cite but someone more senior than me ordered me to. I'll try going down to the court house to speak with someone there. Thanks again.

[acreature]

Thanks guys! I tried calling the court house to get the citations dismissed but they gave me the run-around. In the end, I just hung up. It is the most minor infraction that one could possibly have for our department (driving in a part of the park that was closed). I did not want to give the cite but someone more senior than me ordered me to. I'll try going down to the court house to speak with someone there. Thanks again.

Anyone else getting that gut feeling that this is a Joe that found out his Ticketer has changed Departments? :D

[The Man]

I don't see why you think I would lie about this. My main concern was whether or not the academy would frown upon me having to go to traffic court in the third week of training. At the Ranger Department where I just left, all contested infractions (and only infractions) go through traffic court. I've never been in a predicament to ask for a dismissal, nor have any of my former co-workers, so I don't know how to handle it. Again, as I stated earlier, I've never had a citation challenged. I appreciate your help but if it sounds like I'm deceiving someone than I'm sorry, because I'm not. It is a genuine question that has me puzzled.

[Ironhead]

I don't see why you think I would lie about this. My main concern was whether or not the academy would frown upon me having to go to traffic court in the third week of training. At the Ranger Department where I just left, all contested infractions (and only infractions) go through traffic court. I've never been in a predicament to ask for a dismissal, nor have any of my former co-workers, so I don't know how to handle it. Again, as I stated earlier, I've never had a citation challenged. I appreciate your help but if it sounds like I'm deceiving someone than I'm sorry, because I'm not. It is a genuine question that has me puzzled.

Who is that directed to? I didn't see anyone saying you were lying

The post above yours is suggesting that the person you ticketed somehow knows you changed departments and will most likely be a no-show.

Bottom line (as everyone has said) is that communication is the key. Talk to the academy staff, talk to the prosecutor, and talk to the clerks office. Tell them of the conflict - someone will give you guidance.

[acreature]

I don't see why you think I would lie about this..............t is a genuine question that has me puzzled.

Hence the " :D "

If you're/were Jonny Law, you'd have the skin to have your balls busted a bit ;)