Street Sweeping?

[wirry1422]

To Cdw: I certainly didn't mean to insinuate that the OC sheriff's dept. is a third rate outfit. I am sure that for the most part, OC's sheriff's department is a very well run and professional department. I am in Chicago, so I don't know much of anything specific about the OC sheriff's dept., other than that its a large semi-urban sheriff's department in California. I also don't know what OC's specific procedures are regarding internal affairs investigations. I didn't mean that the complaintant or her family's health or safety could be in jeapardy by any means, only that the friend's of the po under investigation might harass the woman with undue traffic stops or moving or parking citations. Such has happened a few times at suburban departments around Chicago, and became public knowledge when lawsuits were filed by the victims of the harassment. I suppose it is (maybe not likely but)possible under similar circumstances in any department in the country. I simply wanted to point out that every effort should be made to give the officer the benefit of the doubt regarding intent, before serious action is taken that could end someone's career. To the OP, keep us posted on the outcome of the matter.

 

[NatalieCallista]

Well, they finally sent me some information about when my administrative hearing would be. Unfortunately they picked the one (well, there are actually 2 days this month which would be impossible because my daughter is having surgery) day out of the month that I couldn't go.

I of course sent them a fax requesting the hearing to be rescheduled. And I printed out the fax confirmation just to be sure. I think I might have sent it 5 or 6 times by mistake! They scheduled my hearing location at the place as far away from my home as you can get. Is this common?

Well, I am getting nervous as the time approaches. I just have no idea what to say. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[CdwJava]

They scheduled my hearing location at the place as far away from my home as you can get. Is this common?

It is schedules wherever it is that they hear these things. I doubt they intentionally decided to hold it as far from your home as possible. It's likely that all hearings are held at the location. Perhaps the hearings rotate between county offices and this time it happens to be far from you.

- Carl

 

[NatalieCallista]

I figured as much I don't think they intentionally scheduled me at a location far from my home... This is just turning out to be a lot more hassle than one silly little ticket is worth. But, I am willing to teach that young man a lesson about honesty... And who knows, maybe it will all turn out to be a "clerical error" on his part. You never know.

Thank you!

 

[CdwJava]

Well, there ARE some people that post here from time to time that believe it actually IS a great conspiracy against them and them alone. In reality, "they" couldn't care less who you (the generic "you") is - they just do what they do.

Good luck.

- Carl

 

[NatalieCallista]

Hmmm....

Question: I have not received a reply regarding my request to change the date of my hearing (I faxed it last week) so I am starting to get nervous. Also, today they deposited the check that I wrote. What is the procedure on the bail money? If they find in my favor do they refund this money? I was under the impression that they held onto the check until the hearing (since it will be in the next week or so)

I guess I was surprised that they waited 1 1/2 months to deposit the check and they chose to do it 2 days before the original hearing date. Since I have never been through this before maybe someone could shed some light on this. I don't want to sound ignorant when I call to ask about the hearing location. (I spent 3 hours today trying to track down the right person/department to talk to. Haven't found the number yet, but I will try again tomorrow!)

Thank you again (presumably CdwJava)

 

[CdwJava]

Question: I have not received a reply regarding my request to change the date of my hearing (I faxed it last week) so I am starting to get nervous.

You need to call them. They do not HAVE to change your hearing date. They may have opted not to. If you do no hear from them, assume the original date.

Also, today they deposited the check that I wrote. What is the procedure on the bail money? If they find in my favor do they refund this money? I was under the impression that they held onto the check until the hearing (since it will be in the next week or so)

They are not going to let it hang so that you can cancel the check if you don't like the outcome. If you prevail, they can refund you the money.

- Carl

 

[NatalieCallista]

Thank you for your prompt reply.

I have just having a heck of a time figuring out who I talk to about when my "time" is. There is no telephone number to be found on ANY of the documentation. The form only provided a fax number and I can't find a listing on their website or on any Google searches I have done. I tried calling the North Justice Center and was rerouted for 3 hours. (I must have looked pretty ridiculous chasing down my infant with one hand!)

Sadly, it looks like I will end up forfeiting the bail money. My daughter's surgery is more important than this silly $30 parking ticket. I will still persue some sort of adminstrative action to be taken against the officer in question, but I have a feeling that it won't be taken with the same seriousness it would have if I had a judgement in my favor.

CdwJava, if you have some sort of secret PD insider knowledge of their phone number I would be enternally grateful.


Oh, and here's something for bad luck, and incredibly off topic. My entire neighborhood got "tagged" on Tuesday night. Our house and neighbor's house were particularly bad (on the walls, fences, siding, doors, sidewalk, etc) The officers that responded told me that it is likely that one of my students was involved (something about the writing?)

*sigh* All because I gave him the D- he "earned".... What is the world coming to that a teacher has to worry about her family and property when doing her job. That boy got a new lease on life and has started squandering it the moment he got a chance.

 

[CdwJava]

Hmm ... I wish I knew who to contact there, but I don't. I worked south of the OC. And parking enforcement issues are usually held apart from the law enforcement folks ... I don't know if that's the case where you are.

Fortunately, I have never had my property tagged or vandalized. My wife teaches elementary school, so I doubt too many of her students would get THAT mad. I just have to keep from ticking off too many of the real bad guys.

- Carl

 

[NatalieCallista]

My wife teaches elementary school, so I doubt too many of her students would get THAT mad.

I can see it now... 1st grader with a box of Crayolas, dressed in finger-paint splattered overalls... classic! Ok, I got a good laugh out of that image.

My husband and I just bought this house in July, so I am sad about what happened. But, it is just a house. Little punk sure sent me a message though. ... next time give him an F!

In all seriousness though, thank you for trying to help me out with this parking issue. It is very appreciated. I know that there are bigger things happening out in the world today and my family thanks you and your family for keeping us safe.

 

[Zigner]

Hmm ... I wish I knew who to contact there, but I don't. I worked south of the OC.

Interesting Carl - for some reason I always thought you worked in the northern half of the state...dunno why

 

[CdwJava]

Interesting Carl - for some reason I always thought you worked in the northern half of the state...dunno why

Well, 6 years ago my tag line included: "A So Cal Cop ..."

I traded in the Ray-Bans, suntan, and perfect weather of San Diego for four actual seasons.

- Carl

 

[NatalieCallista]

Update

Well, I promised I would keep on top of this, so here it goes.

I rescheduled my hearing that was to take place the first week of February and it was moved to the first week of April. My husband and daughter and I made the 20 mile trek down to the hearing location and I told the hearing officer the entire story.

In the beginning she was very suspect and hostile (I am sure from having heard a thousand times "but it wasn't my fault.") Eventually I suspect she began to realize that I was being honest and had nothing to hide. (I even let her look through my cell phone's call history and she made a note of the calls I made to the police department and the times they were entered.

I got the information in the mail today. The ticket was dismissed. It cost quite a bit more to argue the ticket than the ticket was worth in the first place, however, I believe it was the right thing to do to ensure the officer was reprimanded. Which, incidentally, he was. Apparently he never could come up with a reason why he had tickets pre-filled out in his booklet.

And off I go to make VERY certain that I am nowhere near my students' houses on street sweeping days, just in case the ticketing agent forgets to reset his or her watch

And I would like to sincerely help everyone for their advice and assistance in this matter. You are all wonderful!