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Citizen's Academy - The Unfolding Series

The Mock Trial was an Assault & Battery case and not speeding. Still, the officer who responded to the call in this case testified he was running "selective radar enforcement" (whatever that means) on Beacon Street in Brookline. And wouldn't you know it, by coincidence I almost got nailed on Beacon Street earlier this afternoon!

So, I figured we can conduct our own Mock Trial using the following case: Speeding on Beacon Street, 45 in a 30 miles per hour zone. Radar.

• You have sent in the ticket pleading "not responsible"
• About three months later you had a hearing with a magistrate
• He did found you responsible (although he reduced the speed) and you've appealed his decision.

(Whispering): Here we are in front of a judge. Officer Williams has been sworn in and is about to begin his testimony. Let's listen in, shall we?

"My name is Officer James Williams and I've been with the Brookline Police Department for almost nineteen years. On March 11, 1998 while on routine radar patrol on the 1700 block of Beacon Street, at approximately 3:15 in the afternoon I observed the defendant's vehicle traveling East in the fast lane at a rate higher than the posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour. I have visually estimated the speed of this vehicle to be approximately 45 miles per hour. I have conformed my estimate with a Custom Eagle radar gun and proceeded to issue a citation to the operator of the vehicle. External calibration of the radar gun was performed and documented both before the beginning of the shift at 2 P.M. and again at the end, at approximately 6 P.M."

The judge has turned to you; things are looking pretty grim, aren't they?