Traffic Court (1972)

The increasingly fast-paced, sometimes frenzy tempo of life today is perhaps nowhere [music] better illustrated than upon our roadways. But if this nation in motion is to [music] arrive safely at its destination, the responsibility begins with you, the individual motorist. >> [music] >> To expedite [music] the safe flow of traffic, rules of conduct have evolved, been recognized and adopted. Call them traffic laws. The rules of the road. They're established for only one reason, your protection. May I see your driver's license, please? >> Yes, sir. >> What was I doing wrong? Officer, >> you're going a little bit fast on the freeway back there. >> I wasn't really going that fast anyway. >> You were moving pretty good. Is this your car? >> Yes, sir. It is. >> Do you have registration? >> When you break these rules of the road, you are subject to a traffic citation. Suppose you do receive a ticket. What happens? What procedures are followed? And how will a violation affect you? >> [music] >> Signing the [music] ticket is not an admission of guilt. It's simply your promise to appear in court. Circumstances vary [music] depending upon the nature of the violation, your driving record, traffic conditions at the time of violation, [music] and so on. But often you'll be scheduled to appear in court. Traffic courts limit their case loads to traffic violations only. The presiding judge ensures that existing laws are applied fairly and that those who appear in court recognize their rights as well as their responsibilities. >> Everyone please rise. Face the flag of our nation recognizing the principle for which it stands a municipal court of the cover judicial district is now in session. The honorable Roger Martin, judge presiding. Please be seated and come to order. The procedure here today may not be exactly the same as in every other court in the country, but in general, we apply the same laws to obtain the same principles and objectives. Today, you will see what is involved in going to court, what alternatives you have as a defendant, and what procedures you'll have to go through. Now, when you are called, step forward, and you may enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Now, there is no way to tell you what is the best way to plead. Each case depends upon individual circumstances and your previous driving record. People versus Gregory Green. Mr. Green, will you please step forward? >> Mr. Green, you were charged with the failure to stop at a stop sign and a failure to appear in court after you were promised and agreed to do so. >> These are separate offenses. How do you plead on count number one, failure to stop at a stop sign? >> Uh, guilty, your honor. >> Now, for count number one, failure to stop at a stop sign. May I remind you, this is one of the many vehicle code violations that people don't think much about, but in fact, it is the vehicle code violations that cause accidents or even deaths. Now, let me see. There have been no prior tickets for a moving violation this year. That'll be $10. Now, for count number two, failure to appear in court. It is your responsibility to appear in court on the day your case is to be heard. And for failure to appear in court, $50. See the clerk. >> People versus Philip Lyle. Mr. Lyall, please step forward. >> I don't got the money to pay this. Not with these bills coming in. >> Mr. Lyle, you were charged with traveling too slowly for the lane you were in. >> Do you understand the charge? How do you plead? >> No contest, your honor. >> Are you aware that no contest is treated as a plea of guilty in the court of law? >> Yes, sir. >> All right. Please explain your case to the court. >> Well, I was on the freeway and I was trying to move over to get off at the exit over at Highland Avenue. The traffic was heavy and well, I tried to get over the first chance I could get. >> The policeman says you were traveling for almost a mile before you made the lane change. It >> wasn't that slow. Mr. Lyle, it is your obligation to move fast in a fast lane of traffic or to move over to a slower lane. >> Yes, sir. >> That'll be $15. >> Your honor, I don't have the money to to pay it, and I have a wife and a and a baby to take care of. >> Are you employed? >> Well, yes, but well, my wife just got out of the hospital with a baby, and I going to school part time. I >> Well, Mr. Lyle, just how long will it take you to get the money if I gave you an extension? 2 months. >> Oh, Mr. Lyle, I don't think that that length of time should be necessary. I will give you a 3-we extension, September 10th at 10:00 a.m. And at the end of that time, you still don't have the money. Come in and see the court. But don't forget, this is your responsibility. If you do not appear, you're facing another charge. In some courts, the fine could have been suspended on the condition that the defendant attend a court referral program, a traffic school. which will teach him facts about highway safety and conduct that he may have previously misunderstood or not even been aware of. >> People versus Martha Ray Smith. >> Martha Ray Smith, you are charged with making a left turn from the wrong lane. >> How do you plead? >> Not guilty. >> Do you wish a court or jury trial? >> Jury trial. Your trial is set for September 30th at 9:00 a.m. You are ordered to return at that time. Your bail is set at $25 plus penalty assessment. See the clerk. >> Bail is a temporary fee, an insured promise to reappear. It will be refunded or applied toward the fine. Trial by jury was set for a later date to expedite the flow of cases on today's calendar. At that time, Mrs. Smith's case will be heard in detail and tried under the direction of a judge. Final disposition of the case will rest in the hands of the jury, a panel of citizens just like you. >> People versus Alan Marx. Mr. Marks, please step forward. Mr. Marks. >> Your honor, the people are ready in the Alan Marks matter. >> Are you ready, Mr. Marks? >> Yeah. >> Do you have an attorney present? >> No. >> Do you understand you have the right to have an attorney present and that if you can't afford the cost, the court will appoint an attorney at no cost to you. Do you understand this right? >> Right. >> Then you wish to wave right to an attorney. >> Yes. Then you wish to proceed without an attorney to represent you. >> That's right. >> Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help you God. >> I do. >> Officer Campbell, you are a motorcycle officer assigned to the traffic section Rid Path Division. Are you not? >> I am. >> And on the evening of December 15th, you were working the 4 to midnight shift, were you not? >> I was. On the evening of December 15th at approximately 11:30 p.m., did you stop a vehicle operated by the defendant Alan Marks? >> I did. >> Will you explain the circumstances? >> The officer continues describing the violation and all pertinent circumstances surrounding the Allen Mark's arrest. >> Since Mr. Markx did not request a jury, the judge evaluates the officer's testimony along with Mr. Mark's defense. >> Sure. I had a few social drinks. Everybody at a party has a few drinks, but I wasn't drunk. I felt fine. So, this policeman picks me up. >> Mr. Marks, you are not charged with being drunk. You are charged with driving under the influence. Do you understand the difference? >> Yes. >> You may step down. >> The court finds you guilty as charged. Are you ready for sentence? Yes, your honor. >> For count number one, I will find you $250. And remember, if you're convicted of driving under the influence again, it is possible that your license will be revoked. I hope you all realize what a serious offense this is. It has been estimated that of 100 million American drivers, 45 million are social drinkers and 51% of all traffic accidents are caused when driving under the influence. Now, Mr. Marks, for count number two, hit and run. It is your responsibility to leave your name or some form of identification so the people could have called you and had the damage taken care of. That'll be $70. >> People versus Rita Howard. >> Miss Howard, you were charged with making a right turn from the left lane. Do you understand the charge? >> Yes, I do. How do you plead? >> No contest. I um I was late for an appointment and uh I looked around. There weren't any cars. It's a street that I travel frequently. Well, suddenly I realized that I was about to miss my turn. I I looked around again and I still didn't see any cars. So, I I thought it would be all right to make the turn. I didn't mean to cause any harm to anyone. I didn't cause any accident. >> Miss Howard, driving is a full-time job. You must be aware of the other cars on the road, as well as bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. >> Maybe he was right. I just wasn't paying attention. >> Not paying attention causes an awful lot of accidents. Rita Howard was lucky. Perhaps paying this fine will help her remember, and next time, luck won't even be a factor. >> Now, let's see. It appears you do not have any previous moving violations. That'll be $20. See the clerk. >> People versus George Williams. >> Mr. Williams, you are charged with speeding. >> How do you plead? >> Guilty, your honor, with an explanation. >> Well, this is a very serious offense. The officer seems to have clocked you sufficiently to indicate that you were traveling at an excessive rate of speed. >> I guess I really wasn't paying attention to what I was doing, your honor. Just had my new car and I was, you know, trying it out. I really enjoying what I was doing. I've had a lot of experience at driving, though. >> Mr. Williams, I see that on your record you have two previous convictions for speeding this year. Are you aware if you have another moving violation this year, you may lose your license? >> No. Well, you will not be able to drive if your license is revoked. And if you're caught driving with a revoked license, the minimum sentence is 5 days in jail. The speed limits have been established as a safe speed for the conditions in the area in which they cover. So, if something unexpected occurs, you should be able to react capably to the situation. At the excessive speed you were driving, Mr. Williams, you would have been unable to adjust if something unexpected had occurred. That'll be $100. See the clerk. >> Had Mr. Williams presented conclusive evidence in his own behalf, the court could have dismissed the charges, released Mr. Williams, and directed that the incident not appear on his driving record. Although time in jail is usually suspended in favor of a fine, a serious or habitual offender may well find himself serving a sentence as well as paying a fine. The traffic court is far more than a method of raising municipal revenue. Its purpose is to sharpen individual driver responsibility. It's the most visible and effective highway safety program in existence. Court continues here and in hundreds of other courts throughout this nation in motion. We'll never buy [music] less for your money than a traffic ticket. That is unless you learn something [music] by it that saves your life. And then it's the best bargain in town. [music] [music]