I had to go to court this morning because I had pled "Not Guilty" to a speeding ticket. The cop said I was going 40 mph in a 20 mph zone, but there was not a speed limit sign marking this on the section of road that he said I was speeding on. (The last sign I had passed was 40 mph, and the 20 mph zone didn't actually start until after the portion of road where he said I had been speeding.)

I guess I could have just paid the $75 fine and saved myself the hassle of having to show up to court three times (first to change my court date to avoid a conflict with our trip to Texas, then to an appearance where the police officer didn't show up and the State Prosecutor asked for a continuance till this week). But I was worried about the points on my driving record, and it just kind of bugged me, since I actually was obeying the posted limits, so I decided to contest it. Besides that, I was also a little curious to see what would happen if I actually tried to fight it. I was interested in having a new experience. I figured that the worst that could happen was that I'd lose and have to pay the fine anyway.

But I didn't lose. I won. I came prepared with a copy of the Illinois trafffic laws and an aerial map of the area in question and, after some arguing with the Prosecutor, eventually convinced the judge that I was in the right. (He seemed surprised that I had actually done the research and asked me if I had a background in law.) Anyhow, it was an exhilarating feeling to stand up against The Man and actually win! I know that my situation wasn't exactly a major injustice, but it still felt good to stand on principle and have it actually work out.

Labels: personal