Fined $283 for vehicle speeding due to mechanical failure

The 1997 Ford Explorer Eddy Bauer Limited Edition was famous for the number of recalls it went through. Although some recalls had been downplayed so as not to alarm owners, Ford service technicians downplayed other larger recalls, which did not tell the truth of the matter. I was told that my vehicle had been recalled because the wiring to the cruise control system could somehow start a fire under the hood. Even after specifically asking if the problem parts that were removed could have caused sudden acceleration while on cruise control, they still refused to tell me the truth of the matter. Using my cruise control religiously, set to 65, I looked up to see blue and red lights behind me. Did you know it was going 83 miles per hour? Well no, my cruise control said 65. I immediately took my car to the Ford dealer and learned of a recall that had just caused the reason for my speeding ticket. I took the date-stamped documents and dated ticket showing the problem was caused by a mechanical failure and not a lead foot to court, to be fined $283. I’m guilty?

I think of vehicle violations, failing to stop at a sign, failing to signal, reckless or unsafe driving.
He had told the court clerk that this had happened last August, now it was December. I was going to move out of state in January, and the closest short date I could get was February.

Being a fairly prudent woman, and generally of good judgment, I took the ticket, proof of recall, proof of correction (which took place 20 minutes after I was stopped), National Car Safety Alliance documents, articles and cases of everything the world proving that this vehicle had been withdrawn from the market because of this. I proved that I have a clean CLEAN driving record, no speeding violations, no accidents, no tickets in over 17 years. I told the judge that I couldn’t be here for a trial in February, and this was just the arraignment, more than 5 months from the date of the rape. He wouldn’t listen to it. What was my plea? If I am guilty it is without knowing it. I am apparently at fault, but not by any intention, I showed him the recall information, proving that I had taken it in for repair immediately as soon as I discovered that something was wrong with my car, that I had not been driving unsafely. And he looked at me and said his fine is $283.00.

I was shocked. Was this justice? Was it this judge pro tem, who was not even a judge, not even listening? Doesn’t mens rhea have to blame in a situation like that? Wouldn’t you have to have some kind of idea or whim to drive faster than the speed limit? Why would I set my cruise control to 65, if I wanted to be a lead foot?

So it all boils down to this. The Department of Motor Vehicles is a Quasi-Judicial agency. If I take this whole situation to the DMV and show them the paperwork, would they be able to overturn this pro tems decision and remove this from my record? How the hell can I go in and change my plea, and maybe ask this pro tem to rescue himself so a judge can hear me fairly and can see that there was no intent to break the law?

I do not believe that justice served in this matter is justice at all. mere application of income. Little thing this is just traffic court, traffic court is one of the largest sources for revenue in any city. That doesn’t mean it can’t be fair. I know I was at fault for the recall and the fact that they had to replace the entire cruise control system. The officer said he had been doing 83, I have no reason to doubt him.

However, I was not guilty of intentionally breaking the speed law. The judge told me that it was my responsibility to ensure my driving and that the vehicle I was driving was safe to be on the road. As soon as I found out it wasn’t safe, didn’t I fix it within 20 minutes of the stop?

Am I feeling outraged because I expect respect in the courtroom to go both ways, and I expect that if a law is intentionally broken there is a price to pay?

Inadvertently, unknowingly broken cruise control that accelerated on its own. Remembered for causing road deaths for it. I thank the officer who stopped me, he probably saved my life.

However, I wish to change my plea for the courts, and would ask the person who sat in the judge’s seat to rescue himself, for impersonating a court officer sitting in his lofty position, the week before Christmas.

I heard him laugh, don’t take life seriously, it’s the only traffic court. I told him I’m on SSI, I can’t pay a fine like that. No community service offered, just told to meet with ALLIANCE ONE, the court collection agency, if they can’t pay my fine they will just take away my driver’s license! Something is very wrong with this. If you can point your finger at it, won’t you let me know? After all… I’m just a 53-year-old blond who can’t tolerate one or two aberrational twists to what should be a fair and equitable system. There’s a sign on the back window of my Thunderbird.

“FOR SALE” 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD, LS V8, $2000.00 ($283 OF THAT TO THE COURTS, AND THE REST TO PAY FOR MY GAS IN THE FORD EXPLORER TO IDAHO.