Oh boy; I'll have to remember that part. I always forget that I'm supposed to say 'your Honor.' I hope I don't look disrespectful if I forget.

And my story is interesting, but not that interesting. I'm only 20; I haven't gotten to the point where I need a mail-order groom. We just met on these forums back in January of 2007. I went over to NZ to study and we dated for a year (still going out; about to celebrate 17 months together) and now we're saving money for him to come visit me for a few months.

In Ontario the accompanying driver has to be G License (I think it works out to the same level), but have driven for 4 years. If not 2 demerit points and a 200 dollar fine.

Meh, don't sweat it. Dress nicely, speak nicely, address people as ma'am or sir. Explain all the facts, and don't get too emotional. The judge might think you're trying to take advantage of his sympathy. You'll be fine. Just look at it this way - it's just something you have to face, there isn't much you can do about it. Good luck.

If you have a valid license now, and present it to the judge, it's possible for him to throw the entire thing out. You won't have to pay a thing. That's a best case scenario though.

Is this real?

This is what you guys really call getting points taken off of your license? Demerit points?

:rofl: :rofl:

I've never heard that before. We earned merit points in elementary school when I was 8 when we were good, and demerit's when we were bad. 'Tis just funny that the Canadian governments uses those words that were used in my elementary school for good/bad behavior.

'Demerit/merit points' is self explanatory...perfect choice of words. :shrug:

I just found it humorous. Being that they are a government.... and not one's parent or something. Merit and Demerit is just kind of a funny choice of words, IMO. Those words have, in my mind, more of a connotation towards one's morals, than one's driving record. To me, just using "Points" seems more self explanatory.... and less confusing.

I digress. Must be because I'm American.

Yup, though I just say demerits. And I've only heard of the word being used to describe driving license points. Silly American schools.

In our jurisdictions it's "your worship". Or "My Lord" for the highest ones. Although, "your honour" is used for the circuit judges, but you wouldn't be up in front of one of them for a traffic offence unless you'd killed somebody.


Hmm, we call it having points put on your licence.

I reckon you'll pay a fine. Probation shouldn't be an issue in this case.
If it isn't the fuse, sometimes it is the connections at the light. If they are corroded, you can rub a pencil eraser or spark plug cleaner against it, and remove the corrosion.
Here in FL, if you show the cop at a substation the recipt for the parts, and demonstrate in person that the light has been fixed, they write it off , no points, no fuss, and collect an eleven dollar fine.

I dunno; I'm American as well and 'points' always seemed weird to me, though a demerit just reminds me of a boarding school or something. Points makes it seem like you'll eventually win a prize if you collect enough, which isn't the case at all.

Maybe if you collect enough points, then they start giving you discounts on traffic tickets....

:D

overall, you should be ok. the worse that could happen will be a fine.

TengoUnPerroGordo?

Identification points are such a headache, although having a passport does streamline things - funny enough it's often the best id to use when dealing with domestic government bureaucracy.


I think a fine is likely as well, but I don't imagine it would be very high. I also don't see how someone on a learner's permit could be given probation . . . . I suppose it's possible they'd take it away but that seems harsh for this "crime." You weren't speeding, running a red light, or doing something potentially dangerous - nor were you intentionally breaking the law. Being ignorant of the law isn't good but you have a learner's permit, not an actual license, and you have recently moved in to the state (having begun your driver's education elsewhere).


While the situation will no doubt be very stressful even if you aren't let off the hook I don't imagine the ordeal will be all that bad. There are a lot of stupid things you could do to make this bad (an arrogant or bad attitude, being nonchalant about the offense, etc.) but it's obvious that you're not inclined towards any of this.

Hopefully if the ticket sticks you'll just get a slap on the wrist.

And remember to wear a suit, it gets you brownie points with the judge.

I just wanted to acknowledge your g-ranger anecdote before I continued.

***

Anyways, you'll be fine. A friend of mine in Los Angeles has been in a few traffic related court appearances. All of which (5 I believe) the officer didn't show up to because it wasn't worth their time. I'm sure yours will be a similar case, as its very common (here in Canada as well.)

Have you done any research? What kind of fines are we talking here?

They'll throw you in carcar jail. No but really don't worry it'll be no biggy, now you get caught without a license and THAT is teh svck.

Typically I wear my work clothes, whatever that may be.
My last traffic court appearance went like this.
" I did it sir, I'm just here so I can arrange payments"
We had just sat through a dozen or so cases and almost every one of them had some [censored], whiny excuse why it wasn't their fault.
"$300. $100 per month." It had been a $600 fine.
"Could I possibly get smaller payments?"
"$50 a month"
Not verbatim but very close.

Be clean. Be polite. Don't argue. Don't lie.

I'm not sure I have ever actually called a judge, your honor or anything like that.

Ah, the first visit to Traffic Court. Being scared is normal

Something else that might help, in case you read this beforehand, is that the size of the city and county, and the morning's docket, can also have an effect on the hearing. As mentioned, something like this usually takes less than a minute, and as long as you're respectful and sincere, judges tend to be a little more lenient for a first offence -- especially one as minor as this.

However, if the population is large and/or the judge has to see a lot of people that day, it's usually easier and cheaper to just let cases like this go. Trust me, while you're waiting (unless you luck out and get to be heard first, and if so consider yourself VERY lucky!), you'll hear other cases that include things like speeding, running lights, driving with a DUI or suspension, and other more significant infractions, and it'll really put your own case into perspective. [edit] And absolutely what Grim said ^^

I'm not sure what the laws are in Colorado these days, especially since there's been a big crackdown on younger drivers (mainly due to texting), but driving alone with just a permit definitely isn't a serious offence. Honestly, if I were you I'd just expect a fine at the most, and maybe a stern look from the judge with a reminder to be more careful or something. Hopefully the fine won't be very much, and you can make payments.

Good luck today.

I have a candle burning in the window..

Keeping my paws crossed for you. I'm sure it will turn out OK.

Who says it's g-ranger!?

Thanks again guys. I'm about to start getting ready. I have my receipts in order and my license to show and I'm just picking out an outfit. I'm really not stressing out over this as much as I was before. No excuses from me; just a, "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was wrong. Now that I do, I'm going to pay the price." Not exactly like that, but that's the general 'feel,' I'm going for, since, you know, it's the truth and all.

I shall be back later to report on how it went, if anyone will still be curious.

Oh, and as far as fines, go, I've heard it should be no more than USD $150, which is a relief. If I can get traffic school, I'll go that route.

I wouldn't worry that much.
You'll be fine.


In England Judges are high ranking members of the Church?
News to me.

Usually you only call "Your Worship" to people in the church.
Like "Your Holiness" is the Pope.

Then again, your unit of money is a weight here in America. :shrug:

Well that'd be one hell of a cliff-hanger if you didn't.

Normally they take it easy on first time offenders, especially if you express remorse. Good luck to ya, I'll be waiting to hear how it went.

Good luck IHaveAFatDog!