Found Guilty

Court was held yesterday at 3:00 for the traffic ticket that was issued as a result of my accident. The officer that worked the wreck, also a cyclist, asked that I be there in case the driver tried to contest the ticket. I was stressed all week, worried... what if the judge throws the ticket out??? Not really sure of how these things work I probably put myself through more than I had to.

After hearing a case of a man that was charged with begging, drunk and disorderly and passively resisting arrest it was GO time. The case was called and the driver and the officer went to seperate podiums in front of the bench. The judge asked for the driver's plea on the charge of failure to yield. "Not Guilty", came the words from his mouth. My stomach dropped, did he really just say those words or are my ear playing tricks on me? The judge asked if the other party involved was there at which time the officer called me to stand with him at his podium.

We were all sworn in. The officer gave his testimony, then me and then the driver. I had a huge sense of calm and fear all at the same time but what I felt the most was hurt. I couldn't believe that this man, who told the officer the day that it happened that he did see me and just misjudged my speed, after swearing to tell the truth, was lying through his teeth. I know that his lie will hurt his life more than mine and I hate that for him. I don't want anything bad for him, I just want a new bike and my bills paid.

The judge rambled for a bit about his responsibility as a judge and that of the court. Then the verdict came... Guilty. I felt relieved. I was so thankful that the officer had told me what could happen and advised me to show up. I was thankful for the advice that Bo had given me... I was just thankful all the way around.
So I expect to get an offer on my bike today of not Monday. I still have therapy for my back and next and have started to seriously consider Yoga, wink wink.