Friday I went to court for a not guilty plea to "Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device". I decided I was going to prove my case mathematically. So.... Leo and I did some timing and measuring and calculating and I google earthed it and ended up having a 12 page document to hand over to the judge. So here's how the story begins.

I planned to leave school at noon.... but I should have known myself.... I left at 1:oo. The trial was at 2:00 and it's a half an hour drive home. I had wore jeans to school and was planning on going home and changing because I didn't want to arrive to court wearing clay dusty jeans. I got home at 1:30 (it's another 15 minutes to Dallas where the court was), ran in, let the dogs outside, whipped off my pants, and was looking for my nice black pants I had planned on wearing. I looked high and low in my closet and couldn't find them. I was late already and was beginning to freak out. I ran to the drier.... nope, nothing in there... and then I thought... oh, no are they in the washer? I opened the washer and sure enough, a wet load was sitting in there. I reached in and there were my pants. I had zero time now if I wanted to get there on time, so I whipped out my pants and thought they'll dry on the way! (They are made of that swim-suity kind of material....) I grab a handful of banana chips, chuck them into the bedroom, gate off the dogs and I'm on the go. I made sure I was driving the speed limit as I was sure I would be pulled over for speeding or something on my way to trial of a ticket! I had called my mom on the way and told her I was going to court in wet pants and made the comment.... "at least I don't have to worry about wetting my pants.... they're already wet".... I get to Dallas and there is road construction..... talk about stressful. I finally get to the court. I go upstairs and tell the ladies I am there for the trial. They say.... "Oh.... it's actually over in that building" as they point across the road. I pretended to act cool about it, but as soon as I was out of their sight I was full force running in a pair of black heals! I got to the building, ran up and down their hallways searching for the correct room, and then finally found the right one and checked in... four minutes until show time.

I walk into the court room, and I spot the officer I am going against. My immediate thought is... "Oh, there's that nice officer.... should I go sit next to him. He looks really uncomfortable...." then I think "stupid, this is not the place for sitting down and having friendly chats". I instead chose to sit on this long bench next to all the other police officers. Our row kept filling up and filling up with officers. I felt really out of place being the only civilian on the bench with them. All these attorney's or lawyers kept coming in and sitting next to clients. Finally a familiar faced police officer comes in and sits next to me. Turns out it was one of Leo's students dads. We had a great time conversing until the judge entered the room.

Speaking of the room. It was like the OJ trials, with the little microphone, and pitcher of water. Very intimidating. The judge did role call and first up was my case. The judge stated that the officer was first going to present the case, I would respond and the officer could have a closing statement, then they would mail us the verdict. Who ever heard of not getting the verdict on the spot? Anyways.....

So the officer presented his side. I was thankful that nothing he said was any different than what I would present. His was short and sweet. Then I whipped out my 12 pages. I asked the judge if I could hand him my documents as I had pictures. I actually asked if I could approach the front. That felt so weird. He said I could, but he was familiar with Monmouth... he then proceeded to tell us all what used to be where in Monmouth. I don't think he was expecting what I gave him. He started flipping through and his facial expressions changed to this kind of "whoa" look. I read my statement. I need to add here that I had calculated down to the seconds for lights and measured exact distances and had the coefficient of friction according to normal tire tread on a good conditions day, and reaction time research, averages of the light change overs.... pretty intense. As I was finishing I was hearing snickering behind me from the audience members. When I finished I looked up at the judge and he was looking at all my documentation. I had included two extra pages beyond my exhibit A-E so he asked about them and then opened it up for the officer.

I felt really bad for the officer because he stumbled about and stated that he'd actually "counted that light and it's really 5 seconds not 3.82". The judge proceeded to grill him about how he knew it was 5 seconds. Again, I could hear snickering in the back. He said he would respond by mail, and we were dismissed.

As I walked down the isle all these attorney's started saying "good job". I felt really bad for the officer. When we exited the room I asked if I could shake his hand.... I don't know... they do that in tennis matches! We shook hands and proceeded to walk down the hall together ... he said "I've never had anybody have that much information before".... we walked in silence.... "ever..." We had a long hall to walk down from there... and an elevator ride in a VERY slow empty elevator. So I decided I would be my normal self and just start being friendly. By the time we came out of the elevator and out to our cars we were talking like old friends. We went to depart and I almost said "well... good luck", but decided against it. Instead I said I was sorry to have to bring it up, he was such a nice officer and I was sure that being an officer can have it's unfriendly moments. He said it was find and that if either one of us wins that's fine. I felt good knowing there wasn't any hard feelings. (Although it affects me more than it will ever affect him....specially if I have to pay for the next five years of my life on insurance.)

All in all, my case proved mathematically that if I had stopped I would have been in the center of the intersection, and if I had proceeded I would have made it through. Even if the light was 5 seconds long... that just means I had more time to get through the light... I still would have stopped in the same place. I'm hoping the judge will rule NOT GUILTY. We'll see. It's been an interesting experience though.

Today when I was at church the police officer I knew (that is the parent of one of Leo's students) caught me after church (we go to the same church together). He said that when I left all the police officers where on my side.... and thought that I should get the Not Guilty just for the amount of effort. He also said that none of the other police officers ever want to go against me. I think they were ones snickering behind me.

So there it was. My first and hopefully last trial. We'll see where it will all go.

Thanks to Leo for helping me and being patient with all my math stuff, to my daddy who helped figure out some of the equations, momma who talked and encouraged me on the way, to Justin Neill for helping us with the physics of it all (Ubernerd).... as well as George Krouse my co-worker who thoroughly confused me.... but helped me realize I needed more information, Officer Lattie for gabbing with me before hand and keeping me calm, and and the Women's ministry board who wanted to sit in the back and be my cheering section!