This morning, I was offered “court supervision” instead of having my recent traffic ticket show up on my MVR for my insurance agent to see. What is “court supervision”? It sounds serious. Do I have to come to class? Well, no. Do I have to call in and report my whereabouts? Nope. Do I have to complete some kind of test or where some kind of electronic ankle bracelet? Again, nope.
So what is it? Well, to be quite honest, it’s…extortion. Oh, you say you don’t think so? Well, let’s look at a couple of the listings under the definition of extortion:
- Illegal use of one’s official position or powers to obtain property, funds, or patronage.
- An excessive or exorbitant charge.
So let’s see…regarding definition #1: I didn’t see a judge, instead I met with a representative of the state’s or district’s attorney’s office, who ”made me an offer”. And regarding definition #2: For twice the amount of my ticket, I can get “court supervision” (with, as I said, no real “supervision”) to make sure the ticket doesn’t go on my insurance. I don’t know if it qualifies as “extortion” based on definition #1…although I could make the argument it’s pretty darn close as the “offer” was made by an attorney, and not the judge of the court…but it definitely qualifies under definition #2. Basically, if you’re willing to pay us a bunch more than what the ticket actually costs, you don’t have to pay more down the road. Hmmm…excessive and exorbitant? You betcha.
Naturally, I pleaded (NOT “pled”) not guilty, and I’ll be appearing before a judge (whom I did not see this morning anywhere near the courtroom, not during the “negotiating” process, I guess) next month.
More to come.
Oh, and I STILL don’t have my driver’s license…she wouldn’t give it to me today.
4 responses so far ↓
1
Jimi
// May 8, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Many years ago I was a personal lines insurance examiner. One step below an underwriter at that company. We would never jack the rates if all you had was one ticket once every four or so years. We also didn’t run MVR’s every renewal, only after an accident, new drivers were added or you had a history of habitually wracking up tickets. Feel free to plead guilty, mail in the check and put that one ticket on there every few years. That’s what I’ve always done. Save some time, loot and give the finger for the attempted extortion. Weird though that they took your license. Never had that happen to me for minor traffic bs. Good luck on your day in court.
2
vonster
// May 9, 2008 at 7:21 am
You need SOME kind of supervision, Beej…
3
postsimian
// May 9, 2008 at 12:03 pm
FUCK. YES.
I had to pay for a speeding ticket back in February. They asked me how I wanted to plead. I asked “what are my options?” That’s when I found out about the court supervision. “How much does that cost?” I inquired. It was $200 or $250. I believe my response was “not a chance in hell.” I plead guilty and paid the damn fine. I’m on the road for almost two hours a day (I live in Lincoln and work in Peoria), gas was high, and Pekin’s road structure looks like it was designed by M.C. Escher. Moreover, I didn’t want to dick around with Tazewell County more than I had to. To me, Pekin feels like a prison already.
I feel ya, man.
4
postsimian
// May 9, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Sorry, I pleadED guilty. heh.
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