Magic City VitaeLog

I recently got a speeding ticket. With the fact that I didn't have my most recent insurance paperwork in the car (which expired 3 weeks prior), I had to go see a judge to enter a plea on my 'case'. The last time I had gotten a speeding ticket was while I was living in Southern California. The system there worked very well :

- You get a letter telling you how much your fine is.
- You pay it with the enclosed pre-paid envelope.

Of course, you can go to the courts and plead not guilty and get your time in court. In this case, I was caught, and I didn't feel the need to waste time fighting something I'd end up loosing anyway. Check in the mail, done with that.

I assume that in the 15 years since then (yes, its been 15 years since my last speeding ticket) that they now all kinds of gadetry to pay your fine and get on with life. I'll bet that would could even by with their smart phone (not by calling the courthouse, either).

In Bilings, however, we don't know anything about this thing they call the postal service. We also don't know anything about this Internet thing. We also don't know that people might not WANT to see a judge to enter a plea. Some of us just want to admit guilt and get on with our lives.

Off to the courts I go. My time : 9am. I get there at 8am to be safe, and find myself surrounded by people with ridiculous 'crimes'. The guy two places in front of me didn't have valid registration when he got pulled over for a broken tail light. The guy next to me was also caught speeding. There was even a juvenile in the court, with his mommy, to stand in front of the judge. Amoungst the 'hard' juvenile criminals who were caught smoking, this young one was made to appologize to the courts for not having his up-to-date registration in the car. He had the vehicle registered, but he didn't have *in* the car. So, instead of just letting him off, or letting him admit guilt and pay the fine, he had to get out of school, and drag his mommy to court to appologize to the court for this behavior. I can't imagine how angry the mother was, or if she was angry at this ridiculous court or at her son.

So, while I'm watching this transpire, I'm thinking of all the productive things I could be doing with the money I'm not making while I'm not working. Finally, at 9:15, my name is called, I face the judge and admit guilt. The process took a total of 3 minutes.

I was then sheperded to the clerk to pay my fine, which I was able to setup with 'time payments'. Silly me, I thought I'd be able to send in a payment. No. Silly me, I thought I'd be able to pay online. No. Silly me, I thought I'd be able to pay with this crazy thing called a check. No.

I even went to the website published on the paperwork I received (http://www.ci.billings.mt.us/government/court) to see what I can find. I was presented with a page telling me "We're sorry, but there is not a web page matching your entry."

I did find a link saying that I can call the court and pay with a credit card. Hold on there!! I don't know if I can handle the much technology.

Congratulations Montana : I will never speed in your state again!

Most states look to the fine to deter citizens from breaking the law. In Montana, however, it isn't the fine that kills you, it's the 100+ year-old process. I can't imagine what I'd have to do if I lived in the much more rural parts of this state. Would I be faced with a 2-hour one-way drive just to plead guilty?