Of course not everyone has or can take the time to take a ticket to court instead of just paying the fine. But in my 20 years of driving, the success rate of pleas and mediation towards lower or no fees is astounding!
Today I was a little late getting in to the office, as I traveled down to Brooklyn Park to Hennepin County District Court. In November, I went out in downtown Minneapolis and got a few traffic tickets after parking in front of the Target Center on 1st Avenue. :( Instead of paying the fine by mail or online, I decided to do what I've done many times before and schedule a court date. Even if I'm totally in the wrong, the chances of a reduced fine are very good.

Upon arriving this morning, I found out my appointment was actually a pre-court hearing to talk about my tickets with a magistrate. She asked me to explain my side of the parking tickets and then gave me an explanation of the charges and reasons for issuing the citations. Since I had no prior parking tickets in the city, she dismissed one immediately! My second ticket was for not displaying my license plate in the front of my vehicle. And after current photo evidence to dispute it, she dismissed that one as well. That's over $150 dollars in fines excused for less than 2 hours of my time today! Thank you Hennepin County. :)

So, take it from me...if you get a traffic or parking ticket, take it to court. Not only that, but remember to dress up & be calm and courteous with the staff when you appear. If there is anything you shouldn't do, do not ignore a citation! It eventually goes to a collections agency with more fees over time, and sometimes it can prevent you from renewing certain licenses.

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