After a few years on patrol, I was chosen to be a member of the newly granted Douglas County Traffic Enforcement Unit in 1985. So, I said goodbye to day shift patrol and hello to 8 years of weekend night work. I will have more to say about that in future stories. But this is about traffic court. Judge J.T. Baker was the elected Clerk of Probate Court for Douglas County Georgia. During that time the responsibility of presiding over traffic court was in his purview, so to speak. Douglas County traffic court didn’t have a prosecutor back then. I would present my own cases in front of the judge. Just like Perry Mason. I was a prosecutor and witness for the State.

The Probate Court clerk would call my cases forward one at a time. I was at one table and the defendants at the other. Prosecutor and defendant. Get the picture? Of my many court trials, I remember the case of Darryl very well. I knew him and he knew me from High School. I caught him speeding on Lee Road late one night. I explained his infraction and issued a citation. I gave him a date and time for a reunion in traffic court if he so desired.

The clerk called the court to session with the “all rise” part. The judge entered and took the bench. The task force was in attendance along with troopers, and deputies. We even had the possum police, D.N.R., in the gallery. I was awaiting my turn to play lawyer. I was called forward by the clerk as my citations were next on the calendar. The first name that was called was Darryl’s case. Darryl came forward and sat at the defendant’s table. The judge started, “Mr. Darryl, on your last appearance you requested a bench trial”. “The deputy has been subpoenaed and is present”. Judge Baker had a slight southern drawl. Hell, everybody in the courtroom had a slight southern drawl. I was seated in the witness box, and I swore on the Bible to tell the truth. I began by telling my story of the whole encounter. Your Honor, I was operating stationary radar on Lee Road in Douglas County Georgia. I was on Lee Road just off of Hwy 92. There is a very long straight way downhill from 92. It had been a slow night, with not much in the way of traffic. I soon saw a car coming toward me at a high rate of speed. I heard its engine racing. I heard a loud shrill whistle from my radar indicating a high rate of speed. My radar lit up like a red Christmas tree, 65+ mph. I recognized the headlights of a Corvette Stingray coming towards me. I turned on my blue lights before the ‘Vette passed. Just in case. (See my OTIS story)

The ‘Vette pulled straight over with high school Darryl at its wheel. I received his license and insurance. I advised the driver of my observations and my radar results. My radar registered him at 20+ mph over the speed limit of 45. A few mumbles were all I heard, so I returned to my cruiser and wrote my citation.

When I finished with my evidence, Darryl was allowed to cross. He responded, “I have no questions; I just want to tell my side.” I was dismissed from testimony. Darryl took the witness stand. Darryl was sworn in by the clerk as I returned to my table.

Darryl said, “Your honor, this all comes down to the fact that I stole his girlfriend from him in high school, and he’s just trying to get back at me.” After a few chuckles from the gallery, I was allowed to cross-examine. I said, “Mr. Darryl, at the time of our encounter, was it day or night?” The night was his answer. Mr. Darryl, did you see me sitting at the bottom of that half mile straight of way with my headlights off? His reply was no. I said no further questions and sat back down at my table. In closing, Darryl reiterated his high school claim. I told the judge that it was dark, and the driver had his headlights on, so I had no idea who was driving that night. It was just another speeder to me. The Judge found the driver guilty and placed the appropriate fines for his infraction. As I left the Courthouse that day, I thought, “Paybacks a bitch, Darryl.”