Miamisburg Municipal Court
Charging excessive costs as a money making project

I received a speeding ticket in the City of Germantown on Astoria Road. This area is known as a speed trap by the locals. I received this ticket on 06/01.

Believing that I had 30 days to pay said ticket, I was suprised when I received a call from a collection agency on 06/20. I was told that they were collecting for Miamisburg Municipal Court for the sum of $241.00. The collection agency also informed me that there was a warrant issued for my arrest so I'd better pay soon!

I called Miamisburg Court and asked why they would issue a warrant and turn my simple fine over to a collection agency 19 days after I received the ticket. I was lauged at, etc. I was told that I had until the court date (which was originally 06/10) to pay the fine and since I didn't, that is why everything snowballed. The clerk told me to come to court and go in front of the judge and ask to have the warrant revoked and to also set up a payment plan.

I would like to point out that I told the clerk that I thought that I had 30 days to pay because I received a seatbelt violation in the City of Franklin years ago and they gave me 30 days to pay. The clerk's reply was "This is not Franklin." Fair enough.

I also want to point out that NOWHERE on the ticket does it state that the fine must be paid by the court date. The ticket states and I quote, "If you do not appear at the time and place stated in the citation or if you do not timely process this citation through a traffic violations bureau, your license will be cancelled. Also a warrant may be issued for your arrest and you may be subject to addional criminal penalties." It states timely... NOT by the court date.

I went to the Courthouse on 06/26 and went in front of the judge He revoked the warrant, and asked me how I plea. I plead Not Guilty. This wasn't my original plan. My original plan was to simply pay the ticket within 30 days and be done with it. The judge sets the trial date for 08/08.

In the meantime, I mail Discovery to both the Germantown Police Department and their attorney, who just so happens to be the prosecutor for Miamisburg Municipal Court.

One week before the trial date, the Prosecutor and myself come to an agreement that he will lower my ticket to 27 in a 25 mph zone.

The fine for speeding went from 40mph in a 25mph ($111) to 27 in a 25mph ($10).

My total costs went from $241 to $229.80. WOW what a savings!!! Did I mention that there will be a status hearing on 09/09? The court is giving me 30 days to pay which they weren't willing to do so in the beginning. Of course now my total costs are 23 times the fine.

Tomorrow morning I will go in front of the judge to ask him to remove all the other costs which are collection costs (fine was removed from collections), warrant fees (which were supposed to have been revoked), etc.

Am I right to be angry that I am being shafted like this?

Company: Miamisburg Municipal Court
Country: USA
State: Ohio
City: Miamisburg
Address: 10 N. First Street
Phone: 93786622033030

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