Twenty bucks in those days was more like two thousand dollars today, because the value of our money has been trashed, largely by our government. The right to face your accuser is a must if you are on trial. So, cross those parts out, sign the form and pay the bail. You will get a notice in the mail informing you of the time and place of your hearing. Call up the office issuing the notice, making certain to write down the name and title of the person you are talking with. Have them spell the information so you are sure you have it correct.  Tell the person on the line that you are going to tape record the “hearing” and that you are going to bring along a witness. They won't like this idea, but it IS your right. If they don't like it, too bad. Score one for your side.

When you arrive at the hearing, the officiating members will AGAIN give you a form to sign your rights away to a Jury Trial.  As before, cross out any part where your rights are waived. 

Begin taping everything at this point. You will be told you cannot have a witness with you.  This is where you state clearly that this is not a witness to the alleged offense, but to the immediate proceedings and that you have a right to have a witness present.  Hold your ground; they must give in to this. 

In the “hearing” room, the “Hearing Officer” will start by stating his/her name.  Stop the person and ask that the name be spelled out for the benefit of the tape you are making of the “hearing.”  If you are told you cannot tape, bring out the name and title of the person you spoke to on the phone.  Say you are sorry, but they had been properly informed that you would be taping. 

Demand the person's  “Title,” name of immediate supervisor, also spelled out, and the supervisor's Title.  You will get lots of hostility, but remind the person that they were informed in advance.  If looks could kill, at this point, you would probably be dead.  Knowing your rights is wonderful.

The Sixth Amendment:  “in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial  jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Now is the time to deliver the torpedo:  Calmly inform the person that the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees you the right to a Jury Trial and you are now  demanding that you get one.  You will likely be told that State Law, the City's Municipal Code, Administrative Rulings, or maybe their morning breakfast cereal box says that you can't have a trial. 

Remind the person that none of these supersedes the  Constitution of the Country.  When you are told the”hearing” is OVER, say thank you, never mind that there WAS no “hearing” and leave/  You now have the event on tape in it IS over, as far as the “hearing” goes.

In a few days, you will get a notice in the mail stating falsely that the matter has been fully investigated and, too bad, you are guilty as charged and your money is forfeit.  At this point, you GALLOP to the Courthouse and file an Appeal in Superior Court.  You were not given the Jury Trial you demanded and this is a Denial of Due Process of Law!!!! The papers are so simple that anyone can fill them out.  It will cost you about twenty-five bucks to file your appeal, but when the matter comes before the judge, you will get it all back, including the original “bail.”  You were denied the right to a Jury Trial, you can prove it, and your Appeal is an automatic win.  There is no way the “officials” can win here when you know what to do.  When you appear in Court, the Judge will probably ask you where you live, tell you your  refund will be mailed and that is that.

With traffic tickets, the procedure is a little different.  Appear on the date required and give the clerk a piece of paper with the ticket number on it, and say you are there about this “Citation.”  DO NOT GIVE THEM THE TICKET;  there may be mistakes on it that you will want to bring up later in court.

The clerk will enter the number into a computer and give you a dollar amount, which you know is going to be more than twenty bucks.  Write it down.  Say you are there to  fight it, not pay it.  If you are told the citation isn't on the Docket (scheduled for trial), it means the City Attorney has NOT decided to prosecute you.  In this case, demand a written Verification of Appearance.  By law you must be given one.  Don't leave without it.  It verifies that  you appeared, as agreed.  It's not your fault that your case wasn't scheduled.  You will be notified if a trial is scheduled later.  If the case is on the docket, go to the Courtroom and when you are called for your plea, make note of two things. 

First, is the case to be heard by a Judge or a “Commissioner?”  Demand a Judge.  A Commissioner is an attorney in  training to become a Judge, basically and you want a Judge. Second, you will plead “not guilty” and demand a Jury Trial.  If you are told you can't have one, you have just won.  In front of the Judge, state that you have demanded a Jury Trial, as is your right, for the Court records.  The Judge may dismiss the case, but if the Judge says no to your request for a Jury Trial and/or calls you guilty, you automatically win on Appeal since you were denied Due Process.

NOTE:  You will not be given a Jury Trial because it would cost too much money for the wages of the Judge, Bailiffs, Court Clerk, Court Reporter and so forth.  The Court normally generates many hundreds of dollars every hour the the Court is in Session in fines.  Simple parking tickets and minor traffic offenses are not worth the hassle.  Even if you do go in front of a Jury, it is common knowledge these days that Cops are known to lie and you have to be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This  is why we have Juries in the first place: to protect the People from Government shafting.  ©  Universal Church of the Divine Arts  310-392-7435