October 10, 2009

10:35 AM

Sacramento County Traffic Court

Judge Russ Detrick charges man from Salt Lake City at second hearing, after SLC man attended court previously and paid $438.00 for a cell phone violation and an added Failure to Appear.

When SLC man attended court the first time, the original judge sent man to pay his fine. SLC man was confused. He realized he had prepaid the fines before requesting the hearing, so he did not stop at the ticket counter.

Judge Russ Detrick charged SLC man second time for a failure to appear because SLC man failed to check in at the ticket counter for original judge. Judge states he empathizeswith SLC man for having to travel to Sacramento for the second hearing.

SLC man pleads guilty with explanation. SLC man stated he was confused when directed to pay since he had already paid all his fines prior to the hearing.

Judge Russ Detrick finds SLC man guilty of FTA and charges SLC man now pay additional $125.00, reduced down from a misdemeanor to an infraction.

Is this Judge Double Dipping? Was this action legal or criminal?

Tags: Court Criminal Fines Fees Traffic Sacramento