NO JUSTICE FOR ME...

One afternoon at the airport, I got a fare to a downtown Austin hotel(Steven F. Austin hotel). I took a couple there. They were talking about going shopping in San Marcos at the outlet mall the next day. The asked me, how much is the fare to San Marcos? I told them that it was in the 60's. They then asked me, how much would I charge them to take them, wait a couple of hours and bring them back. I said $150. They said that was perfect, could I come back at 11:00am tomorrow. I told them, no problem, I will be here...... dropped at the hotel, got paid my fare and exchanged phone numbers. Went back to work.

It was the next day and I picked them up from the Hotel. We drove about 40 minutes to the Outlet Mall. We arrive, I park, they get out to shop and I play on my lap-top and wait. 3 hours pass. They return. We drive back to the Hotel in downtown Austin.

I was north bound on Congress Ave. headed towards the hotel. There is a straight view of the Capitol, trees line the street left and right. The hotel is located on the northeast corner of 7Th and Congress. I was at the corner of 7Th and Congress, prepared to make a right, looking out for pedestrians. The hotel was on my left side on 7Th. I noticed at the bus-stop on the right directly across the street from the hotel, there were about 7-10 police officers. I paid it no mind. I took the right turn on red, veered to the left and dropped off my clients. All of a sudden, I was approached by an officer(RESPECTFULLY SPEAKING) he said the reason he stopped me....STOPPED ME? Is that I took an illegal right on red. I said, that's illegal? He said that there is a sign posted. He meant, the sign blocked by the overhang of the trees, which block the view of any signs when you were northbound on Congress. I then walked over towards the corner and sure enough, there were signs there that you could NOT SEE! The officers were having a field day giving out tickets to the hard working, tax paying people of America. I though that ENTRAPMENT was illegal? (not in Austin, Texas) I told the officer that the signs were blocked by the overhang of the trees....he knew that, he handed me my ticket. I told the officer that I was going see him in court and I will wear a tie just for him. He smiled and walked away. What nerve, I was thinking to myself. This was a bunch of bull and I couldn't wait for my court date.

After a couple weeks pass, my court date set and I was ready. I had the court set me up for a Jury Trial. I figured that normal people would understand the circumstances.(BOY....was I ever wrong). Also see that the officers were clearly entrapping people. I defended myself, thinking that this was an open and shut case. There I was, at my desk, a jury of 6-8 peers to my left, the prosecutor in the courtroom and the Judge straight ahead of me. We got started and made our opening arguments. I wasn't a lawyer by any means. Where could I go wrong? I was victimized by the system and I wanted justice! We took the stand, me and the officer(lying scum). I was grilled by the prosecution like I committed a serious crime, when the truth was that our law enforcement and justice system plays a DIRTY GAME! I am not in the wrong here. So I thought.
I was on the stand being questioned by the Prosecuter, like a was a threating criminal or something(I took a RIGHT on RED, SCARY!). They asked me have if I had a gotten a ticket before....I said maybe a speeding ticket...They said 'A-ha, This isn't you first'.(No shit) I thought to myself. I explained that I drive on the road anywhere from a 1000 miles to 1700 miles a week. (Shit is bound to happen.) I should be COMMENDED for the percentage of tickets I acquire, compared to the amount of miles and hours I drive. I let the record speak for itself. NO ONE HAS tickets in here? (YEAH RIGHT!) I am willing to bet that I have fewer incidents on my record than the judge, jury, prosecuter combined! (I ALMOST FORGOT.....THEY'RE SO PERFECT! I WAS ENTRAPPED!!
Now the officer is on the stand under oath(like that really matters). He was question about the incedent. And FINALLY the judge asked "Are there any TREES THERE". He replied 'No your Honor, there are only potted plants and such". I quickly objected.."HE'S LYING". But then had to restate. "Objection...he's not telling the truth". Nobody cared. The Judge did mention to the Jury "the law that states---if there is a sign blocked or the view is impeded by any reason....YOU MUST SAY THEY'RE NOT GUILTY!
We stated our cases for a little while longer before the Jury went out for deliberation. They all left. I was sitting alone.....I had brought no evidence what so ever, Didn't think I needed any especially for what the Judge had just told to the Jury. It was a clear case of entrapment. All of a sudden, I was looking around the Courtroom and saw.........pictures of downtown Austin ON THE WALL. There was the intersection of 7TH and Congress on a picture just to the left of the Jury box. I felt excited and couldn't wait for the TRIAL to reconvine. Finally, it was showtime! We had a our final arguement. The Prosecutor tried to make me out to be a rebellious law-breaking criminal. Then I stated my arguement and apolized to the Jury for wasting their time and for being a CAB DRIVER, I then asked the Judge..... "Isn't PURGERY against the law?" no response. Then I pointed to the picture on the wall next to the Jurors box. But to no avail. No one even glance at the picture. The picture clearly showed the trees that the officer(under oath) said were'nt there. After it was all said and done.....GUILTY....PAY MAX FINE! It cost me over $300 of hard earned money. I lost all faith in the Justice system. The jury was done and walked out single filed right past me. All of them looked straight ahead, no eye contact. They were glad to be done with their Jury obligations. It took about 2 hours. The Judge called me up and asked me how did I want to handle payment. I was Mad, rights violated to the fullest, because I drive a Cab. I said I'll pay it right now. Then I asked if there was an appeal process. The Judge said there was, but since I stupidly said I can pay now. I had to pay before I could file an appeal. I paid it and left. That shows how being labeled a 'CAB DRIVER'....means you have no rights, no say, willing to be violated in our own justice system. If any of those jurors need my service....I'll drive right by....like the SCUM I am.