This is true. If you are pulled over for a DUI, speeding, littering, etc. When you go to court there is no solicitor, only you and the police officer who has the power of a prosecuting attorney, before the judge. The judge follows the suggestions of the police officer. To verify what I am saying is true, call any traffic court in SC.
I got pulled over for throwing a Cigarette butt out the window, which is considered littering. The state fine is $200.00, but the police officer suggested to the judge $540.00, so I had to pay or go to jail. Speeding 20 miles over the speed limit or speeding thrpugh a school zone is a lesser fine.
If you answer, please no lectures on smoking or littering!!!
Most States have a prosecutor/solicitor for trying cases. Police do not have law degrees and what would even prevent from fabricating an offense because of prejudisim, etc. unless it was on video?
Actually this seems to be an advantage to the prosecutor.
You argue that they may lie and you believe some prosecutors don’t?
The advantage is the police officers don’t know evidence rules and aren’t sophisticated in court room rpocedure..this is better than going against a seasoned attorney,
It seems SC doesn’t want to devote prosecutoral resources to traffic citations
