Podcast #47: Traffic tickets

Most citizens only have contact with law enforcement and the courts when they are issued a traffic ticket.  Many of these tickets are "payables", meaning no court appearance is necessary unless a not guilty plea is entered.  Larger cities and counties often have a Violations Bureau where the citizen discusses the ticket with a hearing officer, not a judge, and tries to reach an amicable resolution.  Petty misdemeanor tickets have no chance for jail so they are not crimes, just minor infractions of the law.  This process is discussed by Washington County (MN) District Court Judge Greg Galler.  Duration is 4 minutes.