I had the pleasure of visiting our local Chancery Court today. It seems that somehow at the crack of dawn, my seatbelt forgot to strap itself around my exhausted body. The motorcycle cops trained eye picked up on it post haste, and stopped me for a courtesy reminder, which he reinforced with a blue slip of paper. So off I went today to pay the 80 bucks.
Whilst I was there, I watched the goings on with interest. It had been a long time since I had to pay a ticket, and was interested in the crime vs. punishment ratio. I saw a quite few that were there for suspended license and no insurance. For those that got their papers in order prior to the event, the fine was $234.00, no muss no fuss. Those that couldn't come up with the obligatory hundred buck minimum, scrambled to make calls to avoid incarceration.
Then came Fillippe Alverez to the stand, accompanied by his his interpreter. He stood quietly before the judge. His Honor instructed the interpreter to ask him how did he plead to the charge of driving with no driver's license, guilty or not guilty.
He answered in Spanish, and the interpreter said "Guilty, your honor."
The Judge, being a lenient man, and willing to work with anyone to help resolve a problem, said, "Ask him if he plans on getting a driver's license, or if he is able to get one."
The interpreter relayed this to the man, who simply replied, "No."
"Well, that limits our options, then doesn't it? The fine for driving without a license is $234.00. Are you able to pay that today?"
Interpreter spoke again to her client, who indicated he could pay the fine in full.
"OK then," said the judge. "Pay the fine on your way out, and you are free to go."