Judges Dismiss Tickets Because Of Police No-Shows
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Judges are dismissing traffic tickets in Sacramento County because police officers are failing to show up to testify in court.
The Sacramento Bee says the no-shows appear to be the result of a dispute between the district attorney's office and the Sacramento, Elk Grove and Folsom police departments. The cities stopped paying for an array of district attorney services, including pinch-hitting for the no-show officers.
Traffic court judges have been dismissing violations by the dozens in recent months, meaning motorists cited for running red lights, speeding and other infractions prevail during trials.
The newspaper says 69 people had their traffic court cases dismissed between Oct. 12 and Nov. 17 because officers failed to testify.
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