Around town I am Puddles' Dad but in court I am Dan Coleman. I have practiced law in NC since 1988. If you stop by the firm Puddles will introduce himself. Puddles is an 8 year old chiweenie that is intent on meeting and greeting as many people as he can. Up and down the east coast more people know me as Puddles' Dad then know that I am an attorney.
In eighteen years of practicing law I have watched as people go before a judge and shoot themselves in the foot. People go into traffic court with legal concepts that they appear to have learned while drinking jello shots. Lessons to learn before you go into a NC traffic Court:
1. Do not ask the Judge for a prayer for judgment continued (PJC) unless you have a record that requires a PJC. If you have a clean driving record and you are charged with a minor speeding violation ask the DA to reduce the charges to 9 miles an hour over the limit Under NC law if you have a clean record and one charge of speeding less than 10 miles an hour over the speed limit then a conviction will not result in insurance point. You can only effectively use one PJC per household per 3 years - save the PJC for a stop light violation, a second speeding violation or other charges. Do not waste your PJC.
2. Despite what street lawyers claim, if the police officer that stops you fails to show you his radar gun it does not matter. Many people think that if the officer refuses to share the radar gun or is not wearing a hat then the "offender" can get out of the ticket. Give it a rest folks--these things affect nothing!
3. Remember Judges are public figures and as a general matter they are not there to make an example of you. If you are young and live at home with your parents don't hesitate to bring your mother or father to show that they are being supportive. Tell the judge about your good grades and your college plans. Many judges will want to work with you and your attorney to preserve your future plans if they understand that you have a future worth saving.
4. Dress like you respect the Court. You would be surprised at how it can make a difference.
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