I have had two experiences with local traffic courts in recent years -
both were rather eye opening. The "Standard of Proof" in these courts is,
as was said above, who does the judge/magistrate believe.  Guess what - h=
e
ALWAYS believes the officer.

I was told as much to my face by one judge, when I explained why the
offense I was accused of was physically impossible.  It has been several
years, but his response was something like "that's very interesting, but =
I
don't have to understand what that means or if it is possible or not -
Officer XYZ states that he observed it and that is good enough for me". H=
e
also entertained me with a discussion of how generous the township had
been in building him a new paneled office with a built in bar, indicating
this was a result of the monies his traffic court provided.

The other traffic court experience was even more interesting in that the
story told by the officer was so improbably that the judge questioned him
at some length as to how he had done what he said he did, and why he woul=
d
have done it.  She was clearly unsatisfied with his answers, but had no
choice but to take his word for what he had written on the report, as the
alternative was to call him a deliberate liar.  Clue - not going to
happen. She did suggest to me indirectly that I should appeal to a higher
State court, but having to live in that town (at the time) I felt it wise=
r
to not get the local town cop and his buddies out hunting for me.

So, did what you describe happen?  Probably -- almost certainly.  Can you
actually do anything about it?  Unless you have deep pockets or a family
law firm, and plan to leave the area permanently, I doubt it.

Sorry, but that is life in this here US of A.

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