Hi there,
I saw your post - coincidentally from right about two years ago today - about going to jail to serve time in lieu of traffic fines. I'd like to ask you a bit more about how that went down if you're willing to share. As you know, when you call the courts they often won't give you a straight answer.
Thanks! Appreciate any help you can give. If you're willing to share some more info, hit me up.
This is Texas, right? Ask the Municipal Court Clerk if there is not a "Defendant's Motion to Lay Out Fine In Jail" in their "TMCEC FORMS BOOK." I just pulled the form I used, and it is labeled that it was on page 170 of their book then, but the page number may have changed because in 2012 (three years ago, not two) they were still using the 2011 version of the TMCEC book. Anyway, if you sign it and certify you are of legal age, not under pressure, not claiming indigency, etc., the judge will probably approve it right there and send your ass in right away. The form is worded giving the judge a chance to grant or deny, but in my case -- both courts -- it was granted almost automatically. YOU NEED TO ASK YOUR COUNTY WHAT THE RULE IS ON HOW MUCH TIME PER DOLLARS OF FINE. IN MY CASE BOTH CREDITED $100 FOR EACH 24 HOURS SERVED, BUT I HAVE HEARD SOME MORE LIBERAL THAN THAT.
ALSO HEARD ONE THAT ONLY GAVE $50 A DAY CREDIT, AND THAT WOULD SUCK, BUT THAT WAS THREE YEARS AGO. AFTER YOU CONVINCE THEM TO FIND THE FORM, ASK HOW MUCH DOLLAR CREDIT PER DAY, BEFORE YOU SIGN IT. You also may get "good time" if you decide to go in, but that can vary too. One of my two jails was more liberal than the other.