Lake Forest Park Municipal Court Judge Grant presided over a remote infraction calendar on Dec. 17, 2025, hearing mitigation requests and contested matters for multiple photo-enforced and officer-issued speeding citations. The judge reduced monetary penalties for many first offenses, offered community-service alternatives and approved deferred findings for some officer-issued tickets.

The calendar opened with Judge Grant explaining mitigations and deferred findings — a six-month continuance permitted by statute with an administrative fee of $175 that can lead to dismissal if conditions are met. The session, held on Zoom and livestreamed to YouTube, focused largely on school-zone camera enforcement and individual hardship explanations.

Several motorists received reduced penalties after describing circumstances or financial hardship. For example, Kevin Magandu (case 250385211) said he was making a drop-off and misread a speed sign; Judge Grant reduced the fine to $50. Laura Cusick (250368829) acknowledged a flashing beacon and accepted a $75 mitigation for a first offense. Rebecca Rapp (250329847) and others were offered a reduction to $50 or the option of three hours of community service; Rapp opted to perform community service and was given 45 days to submit proof.

The court also used community service as an alternative to payment in several cases. Nikolay Susio (250369330) was offered conversion of the penalty to an $80 obligation plus four hours of community service to be completed by March 1; Judge Grant said late or missing documentation would convert the obligation back to the monetary amount. Shijun Hall (580869939) and another defendant had fines converted into nine community-service hours with a March 1 deadline, paired with a six-month probationary deferred-finding arrangement that would allow dismissal upon compliance.

Officer‑issued citations received particular attention. Michael Diaz (580606967) faced an officer-issued ticket for 19 mph over the limit; Judge Grant outlined two options — a mitigation to a reduced fine or a deferred finding. Diaz chose the deferred finding and the judge said paperwork and payment information would be mailed with a January 20 deadline. Richard McNeese (50888467) accepted a mitigation to $110 on an officer-issued citation after explaining vehicle and road circumstances.

The court dismissed several matters where sworn testimony showed the cited vehicle was not driven by the person present. For instance, Moses Meija (250382432) testified that neither he nor his wife was driving and the judge dismissed the ticket tied to the vehicle. The judge also entered failure-to-appear (FTA) defaults and imposed penalties on cases where notices were mailed to the addresses on file.

On evidence and video reviews, Judge Grant played or described the photos and video for some photo-ticket cases to confirm whether beacons were flashing and whether the recorded speed supported mitigation. In multiple exchanges defendants said they were unfamiliar with Lake Forest Park’s roads or were delivery drivers (DoorDash), and cited construction detours, confusing signage, or obstructions as contributing factors.

Quotes that capture the tone of the calendar include Judge Grant’s explanation of deferred findings: "A deferred finding is a special resolution that is permitted by statute ... if you comply, the infraction would be dismissed and not reported to the Department of Licensing." Defendants frequently appealed to financial hardship: "I’m on disability," one driver said, and another asked for leniency because a ticket would “take away all the income I made all of that day driving.”

Cases at a glance (selected outcomes)
- 250385211 — Kevin Magandu: speeding in school-walk zone; mitigated to $50.
- 250368829 — Laura Cusick: photo school-zone (beacon flashing); mitigated to $75.
- 250398412 — Bennett Reinhart: second violation at same location; mitigated to $125.
- 250352369 — Sunshine Ebersole: photo ticket 6 mph over; mitigated to $75.
- 250385997 — Harvey Mann: 11 over (double penalty); mitigated to $140 after video review.
- 250369330 — Nikolay Susio: 10 over; converted to $80 plus 4 hours community service (due March 1) or payment if not completed.
- 250329847 — Rebecca Rapp: 6 over; option of $50 or 3 hours community service (opted for service; 45-day deadline).
- 580606967 — Michael Diaz: officer-issued 19 over; accepted deferred finding (6 months; $175 admin fee); paperwork to be mailed, payment due Jan. 20.
- 580869939 — Shijun Hall: $181 converted to 9 community-service hours under a deferred finding with March 1 deadline.
- 250382432 — Moses Meija: dismissed after sworn testimony that he was not driving the cited vehicle.

The court repeated standard administrative instructions: payment deadlines typically set for Jan. 20, credit-card convenience fees apply if paid online, and community-service placements must be with nonprofit organizations that document hours on letterhead. Judge Grant reminded attendees that deferred findings are available once every seven years for a driver who complies with conditions.

The calendar concluded with the judge finding FTA defaults where notices had been mailed to addresses on file and imposing penalties as appropriate. The court adjourned the remote session at the end of the calendar.