Thanks to everyone who have made me feel less shitty about my car getting impounded and my court date tomorrow.

Of course, now I'm freaking out about where I can park. There are three-hour parking lots nearby, but I understand that I should get there early (before 9) and that I have the morning session, which I assume will be until noon, and there's no telling when I'll get seen. And if I'm the last person, my three hours will be up before I get back to my car and, yay, a parking ticket while I was at court.

My other option is to park where there is a nine-hour limit, but I'd have to get a taxi there and back, because it's a couple of miles away.

Or just try my luck that I get seen within the first two hours. Does anyone know how they order the cases? Serious to minor, the opposite? Does the judge ask a lot of questions (I don't do well with on-the-fly responses).

Julie, if you park nearby, there should be a break where you can dart out and feed the meter. Look around for a deck, where you can pay when you leave, those are the best. I'd have driven down today and located everything beforehand, because I'm insecure like that.

My advice for court is tell the truth, but don't volunteer information you haven't been asked for. Succinct is usually good. I have no idea how cases are ordered--it may be individual to each judge.

From Dennis Lehane on fb : If your "CAUSE" involves the death of kids, it's not a cause, it's a pestilence.

My only Traffic Court experience was when I fought a ticket - that was alphabetical by last name. But I don't know how that will translate to you.

Thanks, Bev. I ended up working late today simply so that I would have less time at home to stew in anxiety, and didn't even consider parking issues til just now. If there's a break, I should be golden. That would make sense, because everyone else will be in the same boat that I am in.

check out this picture (no violence/gore) of unclaimed runner bags at the marathon:

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My manager is out on his last week of paternity leave, my coworker's wife went into labor this morning, I'm supposed to start this leadership training tomorrow, and now I have a mandatory meeting in conflict with the training. A meeting where we may find out about uncomfortable changes... or, you know, if we still have a product to work on.

Do I email the trainer why I won't be there? Email and explain why I'll only be there for the first half?

You should be fine with three hour parking. Take a small book, not an electronic device; it's boring, but some judges get irked at seeing a mag or e-reader, and devices piss them off.

Succinct and respectful is good; have any paperwork easily to hand. Your case is pretty in-and-out, and they will just want to shuffle you through. Take a credit card AND a checkbook -- sometimes they take one but not the other. Business-casual dress, but steer away from wearing anything obviously expensive.

Thanks, I picked out a nice outfit so I don't look like a bum with no future, but I'm poor so it's definitely not expensive or expensive looking. I did read on another board that using the phone is a no-no for entertainment, so I've got a book handy. Got cash, got my check book, got my credit card and all my documents for proof that I did my duty.

God, and it was all so easy to take care of, I want to punch myself for letting it get to this point.

I'm finally having a chance to watch the news and catch up and it's just horrifying me. Just...I can't contemplate. It's just so awful. What is wrong with this world??