Recent Articles

Same as it ever was...

John Michael Roch
August 01, 2011 16:00

Chalk one up for the populace. The thirty two headed Hydra seems to finally been cut down. Yes, I’m talking about the Red Light cameras that “infect” 32 intersections in the City of Los Angeles. I say “seems” because given the fickleness of politicians, these things...

Hurry up and wait

John Michael Roch
July 25, 2011 16:00

What will happen to your right to a speedy trial? The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees it. It refers to criminal offenses of course but remember that in California, a traffic offense is a criminal offense so…? OK, I may be getting ahead of myself, let me start at...

The Out of Towners

John Michael Roch
July 18, 2011 16:00

So recently it was mentioned that I have been using song titles and/or lyrics for my blogs. Yes, it is true but hey, if they are applicable… this is why I have briefly switched to movie titles, in case you ask. A common mistake that some people make is that they assume that if they have a...

Over the Hills and Far Away

John Michael Roch
July 11, 2011 22:00

Getting a traffic ticket is not a fun thing, we all agree on that. Regardless of whether we deserve it or not, we usually assume that we don’t and it’s “the other guy” who should have been stopped… right? Well, how much more aggravating can that situation be if you...

School's out... Forever

John Michael Roch
July 04, 2011 18:30

Yes, I know… another lyrical reference and this one applies as well. In case you hadn’t heard, the State of California will no longer allow second offender’s traffic school, also known as twelve hour traffic school. As of Friday, July 1st this handy option is off the table. As...

And so goes the Merry-go-Round

John Michael Roch
June 27, 2011 16:00

OK, are we tired yet of the red light cameras controversy in the city of Los Angeles? Well, here’s what we know so far (before you try to outrun the flash). The Police Commission voted unanimously to end the program. Then the vote went to the City Council where they needed at least eight...

Just like a Seinfeld episode

John Michael Roch
June 20, 2011 16:00

Those of you familiar with the concept will immediately realize that this installment of the blog is all about nothing. Well, the Los Angeles City Council did decide at the end of last week that they would postpone their decision regarding the photo red light cameras until this coming Tuesday....

Will the Red Light Cameras fade to black?

John Michael Roch
June 13, 2011 18:50

Well, here’s a subject that refuses to go away. It seems like the City of Los Angeles red light camera program suffered a slight set back this past Tuesday at the Board of Police Commissioners meeting. Although the city council has the final vote on this issue, the police commissioners voted...

I Fought the Law and...

John Michael Roch
June 06, 2011 16:00

… I’m sure you know the rest of that line. Let’s face it, when you get a traffic ticket and you choose to appear in court and “fight it”, you will most likely lose. Barring the officer not showing up (which happens occasionally) you have a very slim chance that the...

Building a better mouse... I mean Speed Trap?

John Michael Roch
May 30, 2011 16:00

We hear this one almost every day. I got caught in a speed trap, don’t drive on such and such streets… they’ve set up a speed trap. Do they exist? Of course they do. Are they legal, afraid not. This is where knowledge of the law comes in handy and why sometimes it pays off to...