Thursday, October 1, 2009

Sullied Record

Today I got my 1st ticket and it was for expired tags. 10 hrs past the expiration date tags. I drink milk one day past the expiration. I've eaten eggs past their expiration. Heck, until about 6 months ago I didn't even know they had an expiration! But there is apparently no grace period for expired tags in Memphis.

I asked for a warning since I just got the car out of the shop yesterday. And I asked because I have never had a ticket before. I said I couldn't take my baby to the courthouse, it isn't safe for him there. And then I started crying - not on purpose - and asked to be forgiven because my husband was going to laugh and tease me for getting my 1st ever ticket.

The officer was very sweet and kept saying, "please stop crying sweetie." And then he handed me my ticket.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh man. i am SO SORRY!!!!! THis sucks. I will work at home and watch cortland for you.
here is the drill in memphis.
1. you can NOT pay your bill by mail. first you have to get your shiny sticker and put it on your car.
keep your shiny sticker paperwork
2. go to the courthouse EARLY in the morning and stand in the VERY LONG LINE which wraps around the building by ten.
3. do not bring a weapon. Yes, you will be standing in line with idiots standing by the signs that say NO WEAPONS ALLOWED and WEAPONS WILL BE CONFISCATED but that doesnt mean you need to bring yours. after all if someone jumped off the building that doesnt mean you should, right?
4. actually dont even take a purse. you want to be free and light so you can go thru the security thing easily. nothing to make them ask about or go thru. have a lot of pockets.
5. go downstairs to your venue and wait. wear jeans so you can sit on the floor.
6. stand in line again to show the judge your shiny paper work, say yes sir yesm, and smile. no screwing around chit chat it just gets you in trouble because trust me they WONT CARE and just want to get off and go home. You might even piss them off by trying to chat.
your objective is to get in pay and get out.
7. now go across the hall to the glass in office and stand in line and pay your stupid fine.
8. run to your car and lock your doors. You DID park in the park and lock lot across the street, right?
now you can take a deep clean breath.
have food in your car. it takes awhile and you will be hungry.

Anonymous said...

you might need to visit with your Uncle Butch--he is in Wichita--his shiny sticker is here at home in the desk--he called me today & told me my shiny sticker was also in the desk, to go straight home from work & put it on the tag--that we didn't both need to be getting tickets--don't know if that means he has already gotten 1, or he might get 1 before he gets home--maybe it just runs in the family! Love you!

Anonymous said...

forgot to mention...when this happened to me, my sticker was IN THE GLOVE BOX until i got to work so i could wash my plate so the shiny sticker would stick. stupid sticker.

Anonymous said...

You don't even have to pay a fine for expired tags in memphis. Just prove that you got registered and oh, wait in 2 loooong lines.

There's actually a hidden way to get into the court area that never has a line. Somewhere in the basement. The first time I had a ticket a homeless guy offered to show me the secret way for a buck or two. Fortunately I'm still alive!

-alan

Anonymous said...

but the lines are entertaining, esp the first one that snakes you past all the no weapons signs. and the idiots in front of and behind you get stopped for WEAPONS. ANd then they get all mad and ...the second line in the basement is just boring. do not bring knitting. (and that secret word today sounds dirty...pubensus)

angy said...

You should have showed him some significant cleavage. Then maybe he would have let you off with a warning. Or then again maybe he would have also given you one for indecent exposure. It's a fine line...

Anonymous said...

I'll bet you 'bout sullied your knickers when you saw those red (or is it blue?) lights behind your little car!! hehehe