Comments on Advance Indiana™: Class Action Suit Filed Against Marion County Traffic Court

You should check out a class action law suit just ...

2010-10-27T02:29:10.229-05:00

You should check out a class action law suit just filed on 10/26/10 in Perry County Indiana against the Prosecutor's office and the County for plea bargains that give the defendant the "choice" of paying a $10,000 fine or making a "voluntary" donation of $500 to a Law Enforcement Fund run by the Prosecutor.

BTW - has anyone tried to get through to traffic c...

2009-12-08T19:45:24.700-05:00

BTW - has anyone tried to get through to traffic court the past few months? Busy signal after busy signal I am told. They appear to be undertrunked and/or understaffed and increasing the burden on citizens trying to contact the court.

Indy4U2C ... Perhaps legislators need to quit passing stupid laws. Seat belt infractions? Seriously? Legislators are the ones clogging the courts.

Oh, and nothing like standing outside my car in the rain trying to strap three kids into their car seats (it's illegal if I don't after all!), which are scrunched so close together I can barely get my hand between them to do so (which means it takes longer). I think mom was just fine tossing four of us in the back of the station wagon or van when I was kid.

It costs $136 to file most civil suits in the supe...

2009-12-08T17:41:45.785-05:00

It costs $136 to file most civil suits in the superior and circuit court in Marion County. Those cases consume considerably more time and resources from the court than the traffic cases. There is no relationship between the fee the court is charging in these traffic cases and the court's costs in administering them.

Indy4u2c, I believe you completely missed the p...

2009-12-08T17:35:35.694-05:00

Indy4u2c,

I believe you completely missed the point. No one is contesting that court costs are reasonable. But the threat of $500 (according to Young) to $10,000 (according to Traffic Court's web site) are beyond court costs and are a fine because someone dared to bring their case to a court.

I think that those who clog our courts with unnece...

2009-12-08T17:29:28.009-05:00

I think that those who clog our courts with unnecessary litigation create costs that they themselves should bear! If one admits an infraction then there is no need for a judge's time, staff time in the courtroom, heating/cooling a building, security costs are less, and justice is administered. If you drive up the costs, by denying an infraction you know you are guilty of you should pay!

Not to mention for very minor offences you can opt...

2009-12-08T16:57:25.520-05:00

Not to mention for very minor offences you can opt for a deferal which they will not report to your insurance. The catch is you must pay $150 bribe to get it. Something wrong with the attitude.

Duly noted and corrected, Paul.

2009-12-08T16:45:43.794-05:00

Duly noted and corrected, Paul.

Gary, Thanks for the post. Actually I don't ...

2009-12-08T16:40:31.845-05:00

Gary,

Thanks for the post.

Actually I don't think we said right to a trial by jury in complaint, rather just the right to a trial. We didn't get into the whole issue of whether you're entitled to a jury trial for a traffic infraction.

Bottom line is you can't fine someone for exercising their right to trial.

Thanks again for the plug.

THUMBS UP!

2009-12-08T14:59:34.518-05:00

THUMBS UP!