I was driving home from my Army reserve drill weekend on Sunday when I got stopped by a cop in the great state of Alabama. (Georgia's a peach compared to Alabama... get it? a peach...) So I immediately think to myself that he must have gotten me for speeding or running a red light or something. I was shocked when he wrote me a ticket for following too closely instead of just giving me a warning. I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket like that unless they were also in a car accident. Everyone I've told the story to has said that I should fight it, but I know that a magistrate in a traffic court doesn't hold to the "innocent until proven guilty" aspect of the law. It's annoying too, because I was passing another vehicle when it happened and that law is written: "Except when overtaking and passing another vehicle..."
The court is about 2 hours away from my home and the ticket didn't list the fine, so I have to call to figure out what it will be. Probably $150 - $200
This is also the first time I got an electronic ticket, so I'm not sure how they're made. Does the cop type the information in or is it filled in by a computer? Where did that date of birth come from and did he really think I was only 19? If I sign the ticket, does that legally change my age? Does that mean that I can date a teenager without it being creepy?
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