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day in court Early this morning I got to witness the Milwaukee Traffic Court system in action. Here is what I saw and did. As with most large cities in America, parking is something of a struggle in the downtown area. I circled twice before I decided on a parking lot that seemed to meet my needs. It was close to the building and empty. The sheet had given me an address, but there was a sign by the door at that address saying that I needed to go around the building to another entrance. Suddenly my parking spot didn't feel that close. Thankfully the sun was shining to make me feel a little better about the unexpected walk. Eventually I found another door on the other side of the building that was open to the public and went inside. After passing through the metal detector on the ground floor, I made my way upstairs. Standing outside the room with some manilla folders was a woman who took my ticket and pulled out my file. She then told me to speak with the bailiff inside the room. Said person met the stereotype that one would expect to see on television. He was out of shape and sported a buzz cut style haircut. Quickly looking at my ticket he pulled out yet another manilla folder and told me to take a seat in the front row next to the last person. Since I was there early there were only three people seated. Once I sat down I took in the room and watched the action happen right before my very eyes. The various staff in the front of the room milled around as though the people in the seats didn't exist. Since as a group they were being ignored and there was little else to do, the people sitting got to watch the rest of the people make their way to see Officer Friendly. He naturally told them where to sit and the crowd kept growing row by row. By the time the commissioner entered the room the crowd was four rows deep. Looking at the clock and deciding that it was time, the bailiff explained the procedure for the morning. There would be no testimony. However, he was quick to point out that they were offering amendments. It was just like Christmas. For example, anyone with a speeding violation of one to nineteen miles over the limit could have that changed to a defective speedometer, reduction to two points with the same cost for the fine. He then went on through the rest of the offers and what people could do if they did not want to accept said offer. Not accepting the offer sounded like a long and drawn out process that was also very costly. We were also instructed to listen carefully for our names and then stand between the two microphones when that happened. Speaking our reply was important, because a nod of the head would not be picked up by the microphone. Soon the magic time of eight thirty arrived and another uniformed woman who seemed to be the happiest person in the room read off the amendment and asked if that was acceptable. Since there were only three people in front of me I saw this happen three times before I got to shine in the spotlight. My name was called and I approached the microphones as instructed. The happy woman read to me and I knew that it was time to say my one line in the play. I said yes as clearly as I could and waited for my paper to be handed to me. Then as I stood there I sensed that something went wrong. The clerk to my right didn't hand me anything. Another moment or two passed as I was waiting when I heard a voice. Sir, it said. I turned towards the sound and realized that the sheet had been handed to me from my left side. Sigh. Apparently I has missed my stage cue and the veteran actors frowned on my poor performance. I now have sixty more days to pay the fine. |