Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jul 2003
Source: Waukesha Freeman (WI)
Copyright: 2003 The Waukesha Freeman
Contact: (262) 542-8259
Website: http://www.freemanol.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/770
Author: Kelly Radtke

DISMISSED TICKET SHOWS INJUSTICE

I would like to comment on the Waukesha court system. I received a speeding 
ticket on April 29 from a Waukesha state trooper on Interstate 43 and 
appeared at the Waukesha courthouse on June 4 to enter my plea. At that 
time, there were about 25 other citizens there for the same reason, with 
the exception of one.

This man was there for a few additional reasons besides his speeding 
ticket. He had gone to court and entered a plea in January for an OWI, and 
then was in court that morning for other reasons. When he arrived in the 
courtroom prior to the court commissioner, the district attorneys could not 
find his file. It seems he was told at the morning hearing to come back at 
1 p.m. since his citation was issued from a state trooper.

Well, the district attorneys decided that since his file was not available 
they would just dismiss his speeding ticket. Later on when the court 
commissioner called this man's name, the (prosecutor) said it was 
dismissed. The court commissioner then asked the (prosecutor) if she was 
sure she wanted to do this since he was traveling at 115 mph. Her response 
to his questions was, "Well, we were able to get a possession of drug 
charge out of him."

Now, I fail to see the relevance in letting a man who was driving at 115 
mph, under the influence and with drugs in his car, get out of his speeding 
ticket which would have cost him his license, over someone like me, who 
didn't have anything on my record. I had to claim two points against my 
license and pay a $168 fine, not to mention my insurance rates will go up. 
How is the justice system fair in letting someone like him, who could have 
killed an innocent person while driving that fast and under the influence, 
retain his license?

It was quite an insult to the rest of the people in the courtroom waiting 
to get slapped with a fine! I hope someone will want everyone to know just 
what kind of (prosecutors) our taxes are paying for and print this story!

Kelly Radtke, Mukwonago, Received via e-ma
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