  CURRENT MOOD: Excited. LISTENING TO: "The People's Court" on UPN38. Speaking of court, I spent the morning at East Boston District Court before a court magistrate and a state trooper, explaining my reasons for believing that I'm not responsible for the speeding ticket that I was given on February 29. I arrived 30 minutes early. Eventually, I was called into the courtroom with all of the other people who had requested a hearing. The court magistrate met with each person by alphabetical order. As I watched the people before me give their testimonies, I had to laugh at some of the stupid explanations that people gave. In most cases, the magistrate held the people accountable for their violations. In one or two cases, he reduced the fine to the new minimum of $100.
Eventually, my name was called. The state trooper began reading information from the citation. After the trooper had finished, the magistrate turned to me and asked, "Sir, what is your explanation? " I responded, "Sir, at the time of the offense, the light that illuminated the speedometer was not working. I was not able to detect this defect during my initial inspection of the vehicle due to the ambient daylight. I'd like to present a letter from my employer, acknowledging the defect and its repair. " The magistrate read the letter, which also attested to my professional driving ability and the fact that I pass Fast Lane toll plazas 21 times per day, five days per week, minimum. The magistrate raised an eyebrow and asked, "Wow. Do you really travel the turnpike that much?
" I said, "Yes, sir, at a minimum. So, I am familiar with the posted speed limit and the traffic conditions that generally exist where this offense occurred. " Then he poked out his bottom lip a little, and said, "The court finds you not responsible. Have a good day. " I thanked him, nodded at the state trooper, and marched myself out of that courtroom before he could change his mind!
Then, I called my boss and told him that I owed him either a hug and kiss, or lunch. My boss' letter helped my case without a doubt, but I had prepared several other arguments in case things didn't go as planned. So, I'm not responsible for the citation. It won't count as a reckless driving charge against my license (one of the tough consequences of speeding with a commercial driver's license). My insurance premiums will not be affected. My job will not be jeopardized. And I won't have to pay the $180 fine. For all intensive purposes, the citation is thrown out, as though it never happened. (Yay! ) 
