Wow.... what a terrible experience for you two, Shel90 and AlleyCat...
Shel, I do hope you get your $700 back soon.
I remember, 15 years ago, I was driving to a small food store to buy Sunday newspapers and then, I was driving back to my apartment. I made an U-turn but the cop stopped me at my apartment and I was like wtf. He looked serious and angry and he pulled me out of my car and saying to me, "look at the No U-turn sign!" blah, blah, blah... I told him that he needs to let me go. Guess what? His reply was: Shut up, mame. That upsets me. Wow.. he didn't care and he gave me a ticket. My whole neighbors witnessed us. (They all told me that it's not appropriate for any cops to treat you that way, etc.. I told them I agree with their comments. They all said they will support me as back-up. I thanked them.)
I called my boss if I can show up to work later, which is OK by her. (She trusts me.) So, I stopped by and explained it to the clerk at the court and asked him how to file a compliant against the black cop. He told me to fill out the form, which I did and gave it to back to him and thanked him. In two weeks later, I got a letter from the clerk to say that I have to go to a small claim court, when?, what time? and where? I called them that I can come. I was preparing to write the judge a letter to bring to the small claim court, which I did. He read and talked to the tape and said that I am free to go and discard the ticket. Yes, yes, yes... I finally won my ground!
