Judge Grant reduces fines, offers community service and enters default findings at March 17 infraction calendar

Judge Jennifer Grant presided over the March 17 afternoon infraction calendar via Zoom and reduced or restructured penalties for multiple motorists while entering default findings for several who did not appear.

The court heard mitigation requests from drivers cited in photo-enforcement and red-light cases. In several instances the judge lowered monetary penalties and offered community-service or payment-plan alternatives. The calendar also included numerous failures to appear (FTA); in each FTA matter the court entered a finding that the violation was committed and imposed the penalty listed on the notice.

Among the contested and mitigation outcomes, Judge Grant reduced the penalty for Deborah Herrick (ticket 250022830) and offered conversion of the financial obligation to community service. Herrick acknowledged she had driven “6 miles over the speed limit” and said she was “incredibly remorseful.” The court converted the obligation to 11 hours of community service, with 90 days to complete the hours and instructions to return signed verification to the court.

Mary McDaniel, who said icy road conditions led her to continue through an intersection on a morning run, asked the court to waive a $145 red-light penalty. Judge Grant declined to waive the fine but reduced it; the judge’s final stated reduction was to $55.

Other mitigation outcomes included reduced penalties or alternatives for drivers who described timing, equipment or health issues. The court reduced Robert Long’s penalty to $60; Alan Bush’s reduction was set to $175; Edgar Sarmiento (also recorded as Sarmian in court) was reduced to $175; Nico (Kosasi) Winoto’s penalty was reduced to $75; Richard Grimes’s penalty was reduced to $80; and Mitchell Warner’s red-light penalty was reduced to $90 with an option for time payments (Warner requested a monthly payment arrangement).

Several motorists were given the option to perform community service in lieu of paying. Tanya Correa Castro was offered a choice of $85 or 5 hours of community service; she elected the 5 hours and was given 60 days to submit verification. Judge Grant explained the court’s practice that community-service forms or third-party letters will satisfy proof requirements and reminded motorists that photo enforcement citations are associated with vehicles, not the driver’s Department of Licensing record.

The calendar also included multiple failures-to-appear rulings. The court entered default findings and imposed penalties for a number of cases where the named person did not appear after notice, including Joyce Cornell, Benjamin Davis, Lily Ann Herrera, Cymbeline Hootebart, Sarah Trujillo Casa Sola, Michael Williamson, Anita Foster and others. Robin Johnson’s contested hearing request was addressed separately; the court found the red-light violation committed and imposed the $145 penalty.

Judge Grant and court staff explained procedural options to motorists: mitigation via mailed forms, conversion to community service with signed verification, or time payments where appropriate. For contested hearings the judge noted that photo tickets are associated with the vehicle and that a sworn assertion that the cited vehicle was driven by someone else can lead to dismissal if established.

Cases at a glance — key dispositions: Deborah Herrick (250022830): converted to 11 community service hours, 90 days; Mary McDaniel (red light): reduced to $55; Robert Long: reduced to $60; Alan Bush: reduced to $175; Tanya Correa Castro: 5 hours community service, 60 days; Edgar Sarmiento: reduced to $175; Nico/Kosasi Winoto: reduced to $75; Richard Grimes: reduced to $80; Mitchell Warner: reduced to $90, time payments approved; Gebron Keel: reduced to $85; Robin Johnson: contested red-light found committed, $145 imposed; multiple FTAs (Joyce Cornell, Benjamin Davis, Lily Ann Herrera, Cymbeline Hootebart, Sarah Trujillo Casa Sola, Michael Williamson, Anita Foster, Susan Ordos and others): default findings entered and penalties imposed.

The judge repeatedly clarified the difference between an active school zone (20 mph when lights are flashing) and a school-walk zone photo-enforcement area where the posted speed limit (often 25 mph) is enforced around the clock. In several mitigation hearings the court reduced penalties after reviewing prior records and the circumstances described by motorists.

The calendar concluded after the court resolved contested matters, reduced or converted several penalties, set deadlines for community service proof, and entered default findings where appropriate. The court said written decisions and any amended notices will be mailed to the addresses on file.