I got a traffic ticket a couple of months ago. I took a left turn onto a road that had a sign in a tree saying no left turns. Kenzie has been upset with me, not quite understanding how I could justify breaking the law. I explained to her that I honestly felt that it was an unjust ticket, and I decided to challenge it.

I took some pictures, looked up some regulations, and prepared my case. I thought it would be a good experience for Kenzie to (1) see the process in action and (2) learn that the courts are a place where you can see justice (hopefully). I took her out of school early, and we went to the Issaquah courthouse. We were escorted into one big courtroom with 70 "defendants" and one judge behind a raised desk. (I was expecting a more intimate setting.) The guy sitting next to Kenzie obviously had some mental health issues. He was talking to himself about killing someone (yikes). His hands were bandaged up - he blurted out that he had gotten in a fight. He was first up and was immediately arrested, so that was an interesting start to the next hour! People were called up, starting with "Z" last names, so we got a show. She paid attention the entire time, asking "what are tabs?" "why did that person speed" and "he hit a bicyclist??" When it was my turn I took her up to the front. She stood next to me while I was sworn in, watching my every move.

The ticket was dismissed (yeah!)...and Kenzie high-fived me as we were leaving the courtroom. I think she was most excited to be out of there.