police driving court ohio
Contesting an expired drivers license ticket due to covid 19
<p>I got pulled over in Ohio (with an Ohio license) a few weeks ago because one of my headlights was dim. The officer was clear that he was just letting me know. <br />
He asked to see my drivers license, which had expired on May 12th. However, the <a href="https://bmv.ohio.gov" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ohio BMV website</a> says:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>If your license, ID card, or vehicle registration (including plates and stickers) expired on or after March 9, 2020, your expiration date has been automatically extended until December 1, 2020.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I told him that and we discussed back and forth but he still said that he wasn't sure that was the case and wrote me a citation anyway, with a court date. He ended by saying &quot;I'm sure they'll excuse you anyway.&quot; <br />
I went to court, pleaded guilty because I didn't want to come back, but had to pay $25 for the fine and $115 for the court fee. I was told that if I had pleaded not guilty, I would have had to pay the court fee anyway. <br />
I later went to the BMV to renew my license and the lady there told me I shouldn't have gotten the ticket in the first place. <br />
I am frustrated because it seems like I have done nothing wrong and yet I paid $140 in the end. What should have I done differently and is there anything I can do now?</p>

<h2>&quot;I have done nothing wrong&quot;</h2>
<p>You got up in court and, when the judge asked if you had done anything wrong, you said: &quot;yes&quot; (guilty). So, in the eyes of the law, you are in the wrong.</p>
<p>Police are entitled to make mistakes and, when they do, the accused can either accept the consequences of that mistake by pleading guilty and paying the penalty or they can defend themselves and show that the police made a mistake. Unfortunately, while you have a right to a defence, you don't have a right to a defence at no cost.</p>
