Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mitigation And Alternatives topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Judge converts $100 fine to community service for unemployed defendant, reduces other fines
Summary
A defendant who said she was unemployed was given the option of six hours of community service in lieu of a $100 reduced fine; several other motorists received reduced mitigation amounts at the July 23 infraction calendar.
Diane Lockhart, who said she is unemployed, asked the Lake Forest Park Municipal Court on July 23 for mercy after admitting a speeding violation. Judge Jennifer Grant reduced a 12‑over speeding citation to $100 and, at the defendant's request, converted that financial penalty to six hours of community service to be completed at a nonprofit within 45 days.
"I will lower the case ... to $100, but I would also allow you to do community service in lieu of paying a fine," Grant told Lockhart, who agreed to complete six hours and return the signed form to the court within the allotted time.
Several other defendants who appeared for mitigation the same day received reduced fines: Danny Fisher's first-offense school-zone photo violation was reduced to $75; Christopher Starkey's first-offense 10-over citation was reduced to $90; Drew Newhouse's red-light photo violation was reduced to $90; and multiple defendants with walk-zone photo tickets were reduced to $50–$90 depending on circumstances and prior history.
The judge told Lockhart and others that the court would mail forms and instructions for community service and that the work must be unpaid and verified by the nonprofit before the court accepts it in lieu of fine.
