Three Traffic Court Questions

[vc4re]

What is the name of your state? California

1. What kind of copies or documentations of case law would you need to cite them in your defense? Do you need a summary, transcript, or a special copy from a law library?

2. At arraignment, does the defendant initiate the plea deal or does the judge just tell you before asking how you plea? Can you point out any quick thing just to show how you are innocent of the violation if its obvious?

3. The book from NOLO describes a few valid objections you can make in traffic court. For example, asking the officer to lay proper foundation before using his notes or when he improperly ties you with the crime before the ruling. Has anyone objected on these or other grounds? If so or you know what would happened, what did the judge do? After all, objections in traffic court are rare!

 

[FlyingRon]

1. What kind of copies or documentations of case law would you need to cite them in your defense? Do you need a summary, transcript, or a special copy from a law library?

You just need the citation (specifically what court it came from) and what was found and how that applies to your case. Having a summary or copy of the descision might be handy (traffic courts tend to be a bit informal).

Arraignments just want a plea and how you intend to proceed (jury trial, no contest, etc...).

You don't make objections in court. You let the officer make his testimony (you do have the oppurtunity to contest introduction of evidence). You can ask him questions (note that is asking questions to clarify NOT to argue with him). During your direct testimony you can make your other points about the validity of the officers testimony.

 

[vc4re]

Ok, I see...as long as you cite the case, know what it is and relevant, and just a summary from the internet is fine?

So, they dont initiate plea deals at arraignment? Many people have told me that their tickets have been redueced by half or more just by going to arraignment...

Lastly, the Nolo book went very in depth of relevant objections you can make to help your case (just nobody ever uses them because common people dont notice in traffic court). Now, I'm even more confused!