Common misconception:
Cop won't show up for court on their day off. Where I am, cops get 4 hours minimum of overtime just to show up in court on their day off. That would be $276 just for walking in the door, saying hi, and leaving because the person took defensive driving since he was not prepared to actually do anything in court. If I was a cop (read between the lines here
) I would be hoping that people would take it to court on my day off.
Lets see - 4 days on and 3 days off. Court twice a day on the 3 days off. $276 x twice a day x 3 days off = $1656 per 3 days off extra pay.
When you think about it, if you look around the court at all of the people involved in your case, the ONLY person not being paid to be there is you. Even if you show the judge your letter and he lets you off, everyone but you will still get paid for being there.
Common misconception:
You will win in court just by showing up. Lets see, you need evidence in court, like say testimony. Something like, Your Honor, he told me he had just finished cutting down some trees, or he told me that the chainsaw was his, or he was dropping off a load of wood at his house with no one else there to help. You know, things he might have asked that you answered where it would invalidate your letter in the judge's eye. But the cop could not be that smart I guess.
Common misconception:
Cops like donuts. Okay, fine, you got me on this one.
But really now, you sure are punishing stupid Mr. Policeman by going to court.