My big day in Cobb State Court....
Back on Feb. 11, I was pulled over for an expired tag on my car. I had just taken my daughter to the Doctors office at West Cobb Pediatrics and we were heading for the big McDonalds there at Lost Mountain Road and Dallas Hwy. The officer was actually quite polite but he did give me a ticket. No slack for a broke Realtor who just had to take his kid to the Doctor. A few days later I finally got the Jag to pass the Georgia emissions test so that I could buy my updated tags.
A few weeks later I got a letter informing me to show up April 15, 8:30 am,at the Cobb State Court building at 12 East Park Square in Marietta. The Honorable Judge Nancy Campbell would be the judge for my case. The letter also told me that I could pay $169 bond and then forfeit the bond instead of showing up. They could just take that for my fine and we would be even.
Cobb State Court, 12 East Park Square, Marietta
Like I said, I'm just a poor broke Realtor. Somebody told me that if I went to court and proved that I now had tags I might be able to get out of it. I'm no lawyer but I've seen them on TV so I figured... what the heck, worst case scenario is that it still costs me $169. My list of excuses defenses was growing. I mean, really, I already bought the tag and paid the county it's tag tax and late fees, I know my tag was expired so I rarely never drove the car, I was taking my daughter to the doctor (I even have a copy of the receipt with time of day on it!).
Side note: Saying I've seen lawyers on tv is sort like saying, I have watched "Flip This House" I don't need an agent. If this had been a serious event there is no way I would have gone without a lawyer. Like I said, my maximum risk was $169.
So today was the big day. I left home early and it was a good thing. The traffic at Macland and Powder Springs was terrible but I made it to the Marietta Square by about 8:10 and was in the courtroom by 8:20. I signed in and the prosecutors were already calling names of folks who were there. By about 8:25 one of the prosecutors called my name. OK, this is it, now I can tell my story...
The prosecutor asked me if I had tags now, so I gave him a copy of my tag receipt. He then informed me that I had 2 choices. I could plead guilty, have my fine reduced to $86, appear before Judge Campbell, and get out of there ... or plead not guilty and they would schedule a new court date with my choice of a Judge or Jury trial. About 1 millisecond later I told him I can pay the fine today if that's ok :-).
At almost exactly 8:30 court was called in to session, I appeared before the judge, the bailiff took me upstairs to pay my fine and I was in my car driving home by 9am. The downside to the whole story is that I did get a ticket and a fine. But all in all my entire experience with the Cobb County government was a good one. The police officer was friendly, the court was extremely well run, and all of the officers of the court were quite nice. I hope that any of you reading this never have to do business with Cobb State Court, but I want to say that if you do, it's not so bad.
Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.
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