What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
Dear Honorable Judge
My name is ___ and I am a nineteen year old college student from Irvine, California. I want to thank you for your initial reduction of my fine as I believe you are a very understanding person and use righteous judgement. I received a citation on 10/05/2013 for using my GPS on my cellphone (while stopped at a red light), for not having a front license plate, and for having an expired insurance card in my vehicle. Unfortunately, I failed to present the right proof of insurance to the bailiff because my insurance company sent me documents that the court did not consider to be proof. I believe that my fine should be further reduced because $865 is a devastating amount of money for me to pay for this traffic ticket, especially in my poor financial situation. I am also able to provide the right proof of correction. Here is a little background on my case:
Due to the many stresses of a young man trying to figure out his life (school, work, financial difficulty, girls), I forgot about my initial court date, and failed to appear on 11/19/2013. I would also like to mention that I did not receive my ticket in the mail. Regardless, this was an irresponsible mistake that I will never repeat; I learned the hard way. On 2/10/2014, I appeared in court, plead not-guilty, and was asked to return again on 2/18/14 with proof of correction for my insurance and license plate issue.
I contacted my insurance company and asked them to send me proof that I had insurance at the time of the citation and they sent me documents containing my plan and also containing a statement that said I had “no lapse in coverage”. Thinking this was proof, I brought it to the court on 2/18/14 and also brought proof for my license plate fix. After changing my plea to guilty, I merely mentioned to you that I had these proofs, thinking that was the proper way to present the proof. You generously reduced my fine and sent me to the cashier’s office. Disregarding the fact that no one asked to actually see the proof, I arrived at the cashier’s office and learned that my fine was still at a substantial $900. The cashier said I did not have my proof of correction for either of my charges so I returned that same day at 1:30 to see you again. After a three hour wait, I was not allowed to see you because I had the wrong proof of correction for my insurance citation. Luckily, she allowed me to turn in my proof for the license plate and you again reduced my fine to $865.
Please consider reducing my fine further because I have an array of other payments to take care of including a broken car, fractured wrist, and college tuition. I made mistakes but my charges did not endanger anybody and I sincerely am sorry for misunderstanding court procedures. My single mother is in very poor financial circumstances so I am forced to pay this citation with my savings. I learned my lesson and now understand the severity of being irresponsible.
Thank you kindly,
Dear Honorable Judge
My name is ___ and I am a nineteen year old college student from Irvine, California. I want to thank you for your initial reduction of my fine as I believe you are a very understanding person and use righteous judgement. I received a citation on 10/05/2013 for using my GPS on my cellphone (while stopped at a red light), for not having a front license plate, and for having an expired insurance card in my vehicle. Unfortunately, I failed to present the right proof of insurance to the bailiff because my insurance company sent me documents that the court did not consider to be proof. I believe that my fine should be further reduced because $865 is a devastating amount of money for me to pay for this traffic ticket, especially in my poor financial situation. I am also able to provide the right proof of correction. Here is a little background on my case:
Due to the many stresses of a young man trying to figure out his life (school, work, financial difficulty, girls), I forgot about my initial court date, and failed to appear on 11/19/2013. I would also like to mention that I did not receive my ticket in the mail. Regardless, this was an irresponsible mistake that I will never repeat; I learned the hard way. On 2/10/2014, I appeared in court, plead not-guilty, and was asked to return again on 2/18/14 with proof of correction for my insurance and license plate issue.
I contacted my insurance company and asked them to send me proof that I had insurance at the time of the citation and they sent me documents containing my plan and also containing a statement that said I had “no lapse in coverage”. Thinking this was proof, I brought it to the court on 2/18/14 and also brought proof for my license plate fix. After changing my plea to guilty, I merely mentioned to you that I had these proofs, thinking that was the proper way to present the proof. You generously reduced my fine and sent me to the cashier’s office. Disregarding the fact that no one asked to actually see the proof, I arrived at the cashier’s office and learned that my fine was still at a substantial $900. The cashier said I did not have my proof of correction for either of my charges so I returned that same day at 1:30 to see you again. After a three hour wait, I was not allowed to see you because I had the wrong proof of correction for my insurance citation. Luckily, she allowed me to turn in my proof for the license plate and you again reduced my fine to $865.
Please consider reducing my fine further because I have an array of other payments to take care of including a broken car, fractured wrist, and college tuition. I made mistakes but my charges did not endanger anybody and I sincerely am sorry for misunderstanding court procedures. My single mother is in very poor financial circumstances so I am forced to pay this citation with my savings. I learned my lesson and now understand the severity of being irresponsible.
Thank you kindly,
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If you don't like it, stop driving your car until you're mature enough to accept that you have responsibilities when you drive and there are repercussions when you break the law. It's on you to make sure you have a current insurance document to present the police during a traffic stop. It's on you to review the document sent to you by your insurance company to make sure it's the one the court wants. It's on you to know the law about front license plates. Get it?
