long story. awhile ago, july for the first week when i blew my knee out, i started smoking again. i got pulled over for throwing an incendiary device from my car. i was "ashing my cigarette" and the police officer decided that the ashes were "incendiary devices". according to california law, the only things that fall under that category are things on fire, matches, and cigarette butts. not ashes. insane right?
here's the catch. california has decided that now you have to pay your fine to GET A COURT DATE. when you win, you'll get your money back... yeah right.... that gives them extra incentive to find you guilty doesn't it?
here's the problem. the fine is $2880 . yes, i have to put up almost 3 grand for the PRIVILEGE of a trial. maybe i can use my mortgage payment for it, so i can default on my loan. but its OK, i'll get it back... what a frikken joke.
so every month, i have to go back there, show them my bills, and explain that there's no way i can afford a trial. its just plain irritating.
i mean, we are in a recession, property values have fallen, cities can't make as much money on property taxes, they have to make their money some other way. what are the odds they would give it back, even if the law sides with me? i'm so bent about this.
the only thing i can do, is cough up the money, show up with a copy of my TS clearance, my graduation from Military Intelligence school diploma, discredit the cop, then come up with ashing data somehow. all that to prove my innocence would be OK - so long as i didn't have to pay to be proven innocent. since when was getting a trial something you had to pay for?
meanwhile, the G/F's medical bills pile up. last month 5800 for her stint in the ER. i'll probably be broke when this is all said and done anyways. at least i'll be ripped when it happens.
i quit smoking again at the tail end of july in case you're wondering.