While traveling through Chicago in October I was caught speeding in a construction zone by a Photo Enforcement camera. When this occurs they send you a certified letter a few weeks later notifying you of the citation. In my case, no fine was announced in the letter. Instead, I was given a date to appear in court: 1:30pm on the day after Christmas!
We woke early the morning of Dec 26 to start on the 300-mile drive. The uncertainty of what would occur in court that afternoon kept my mind quite active. What would I say? Should I offer an explanation? How long would the trial last?
I had decided to plead guilty since the radar equipment was certainly more accurate than my memory. But questions remained. How severely would they chew me out for going 67 in a 45? Would my record show a minor violation or a major violation, which would be sure to raise my insurance rates? Would they consider my clean record and at least reduce the fine? Perhaps if I showed enough respect things would turn out well. Should I mention to the judge that, according to the photos, there were three open lanes which doesn’t feel very much like a construction zone? How about “I was going with the flow” – maybe they hadn’t heard that explanation before.
We arrived around noon – plenty of time to spare. After parking the car I changed from jeans into khakis, then slung my laptop bag over my shoulder and we walked toward the large, gray, ominous circuit courthouse.
We were greeted by not-so-friendly officers at security. I was briskly informed that the only electronic device allowed was a cell phone, so I made a trip back out to the car to hide the laptop. Back inside, I removed my belt, keys, and “everything else in my pockets” and passed through the metal detector.
Apparently the judge was still on lunch break as the courtroom doors were locked. To my surprise, there were many others waiting for the room to open – was I not the only one with a 1:30pm appointment? By the time they opened the doors at 1:10 there were dozens of others waiting (some in suits with loud ties), and by 1:30 the courtroom was packed – standing room only. This wasn’t exactly what I had pictured but at least I was in good company! All shapes, sizes, ages, colors, and ethnicities were present. And they were all going to watch me stand alone in front of the judge to defend myself. Such a large audience made me uneasy.
The proceedings began around 1:40 when the judge gave her speech. She seemed pleasant enough. Her smile seemed a little forced but at least someone was having a good time. I wondered what became of municipal judges that were caught speeding in a construction zone.
Due to the crowd I was not looking forward to being the first to stand before the judge. But I was able to sneak a look at the blue citation card of the guy next to me and noticed that his appointment was also at 1:30pm. OK, so everyone was given a 1:30pm appointment? With 150 others in the room would I get out of here today? I flagged down a clerk and asked if we would all be tried today. She said yes, we would all be tried today even if it went into the evening. Better than an overnight I guess.
Most of the cases in the room were like mine: speeding in a construction zone. We lined up in groups of 15 as our names were called. I watched with great interest as each defendant stated their name, entered their plea (either “guilty” or “court supervision”), and were given the amount of their fine, which was $375 plus a court fee. A few times the prosecutor stated that the defendant had no prior record, but the fine was never reduced. Not much hope for me I guess.
My time finally arrived at 2:30pm. I reached the front of the line and the judge addressed me:
“Name?”I gave my name.
“You are charged with traveling 67 in a 45…”Next she was supposed to ask, “How do you plead?” I was about to say “guilty” but I didn’t have a chance to speak. The judge was asking a question of the prosecutor, something about a 504 motion. A moment later, without even looking up, the judge said, “See the cashier”. I managed a “thank you” on my way to the side exit, having no idea what just happened.
After standing in the cashier’s line for an hour, a clerk came into the stuffy hallway where we were standing and asked, “Does anyone not understand what they were told by the judge?” I asked what a 504 motion was and the clerk said, “Go home; you’re free”. “No record?” “Nope. Go home!” So I located my longsuffering wife and we left.
Naturally I was very relieved and thankful for the mercy shown to me. But I was also humbled that I was released before I could offer any excuse, explanation, or defense of my actions. No mention was made of my clean record. I was not complimented on my neat appearance. I was not honored in any way; I was simply released.
I began to ponder the doctrine of salvation. When I stand before God, He will not consider my obedience or good deeds with regard to my eternal destiny. In fact, my record will not even be brought to the courtroom. God made Jesus, who was sinless, to be sin for me, that I might be made the righteousness of God in Christ (see 2 Cor 5:21). I will stand before God clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and on that basis alone I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
When we arrived home I discovered that a 504 motion refers to a law requiring the citing officer to schedule the defendant’s first court appearance between 14 and 60 days after the violation. My court appearance was just outside of this window and on that basis alone I was released with no fine or record.
This further impressed on me that even before I had violated the law a provision had been made (by the Illinois Supreme Court) for my release. Just as Jesus Christ, centuries before I was born, had appeased the wrath of God and purchased my salvation.
Let us believe God and rejoice in His mercy!
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Phil 3:9)
Disclaimer: some have correctly pointed out that the analogies in the above story above do not align 100% to the salvation provided by faith in Jesus Christ. Please understand that the intent was not to provide a complete analogy, but rather to journal my thoughts that day. My release from court had nothing to do with me or my goodness, and that's exciting. All the same, a sincere thanks goes to the apologists out there who keep us in line :).
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