Red light ticket...trial

[Carrielp72]

Jurisdiction

Texas

I had a ticket set for a bench trial. I needed to be found not guilty due to it involving an accident.
I paid the attorney 750.00 for trial. An assistant from the attorneys office called 15 minutes before trial time and wanted me to inform the judge and prosecutor that she would be 30 min late. Before she got there they, dismissed the case.

The attorney informed me that even though she didnt show up, he still had to pay her for her time and gasbecause she had to drive from Athens which is 1 hour and 43 min away. What? Is this normal?

 

[justblue]

I had a ticket set for a bench trial. I needed to be found not guilty due to it involving an accident.
I paid the attorney 750.00 for trial. An assistant from the attorneys office called 15 minutes before trial time and wanted me to inform the judge and prosecutor that she would be 30 min late. Before she got there they, dismissed the case.

The attorney informed me that even though she didnt show up, he still had to pay her for her time and gasbecause she had to drive from Athens which is 1 hour and 43 min away. What? Is this normal?

You should read the contract you signed when you hired the attorney.

But yeah. It's common/expected you are responsible for time/travel costs. Just one of the reasons it's a bit foolish to hire an attorney that is so far from the court's location.

 

[adjusterjack]

dismissed the case

What is your understanding of the phrase "dismissed the case"?

 

[zddoodah]

The pronouns in your post are all over the map, and I'm not clear what you think "normal" means or why it matters.

I agree that you need to read the contract, but you ultimately got the desired outcome. A dismissal isn't quite the same thing as a "not guilty" verdict, but there's no meaningful difference as it relates to potential civil liability.

 

[army judge]

I had a ticket set for a bench trial. I needed to be found not guilty due to it involving an accident.

For your edification after the fact. In MOST traffic citations the driver has the ability to attend "traffic school" which NORMALLY allows the ticketed driver a chance AFTER completing an in person or online school, allowing the judge to formally dismiss the charge. The driver is further rewarded by not having points added to her/his/it's record, keeping auto insurance rates down!!!

Most traffic schools charge $25 to $50 for using the process!



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