FWF 209: Frank Has A (Court) Date

[00:00:00]have to go to court unless you want to go to court. If you want to go to court, you go there be like, "Hey man, it wasn't me. That guy's crazy. He just wanted my He wanted to jack me for my He wanted to jack me for my fritters."

[00:00:11]All right, everyone. You might remember a couple weeks ago I stopped a guy. He was texting while he was driving, wasn't wearing a seat belt, had a car load of apple fritters.

[00:00:19]Well, during our conversation, he was issued a citation. Super nice guy. I let him know, "Hey, you can appear in court and contest the citation." Well, today's the day that he's doing that. So, we're here at the Casa Grande Justice Court.

[00:00:31]We're going to go inside and see Judge Winston. We're going to see how the judge rules. But, today's his day in court. It's good to be a spoke in the wheel of justice. So, let's go inside.

[00:00:44]>> Good morning. My name is Judge Reginald Winston, presiding judge, Casa Grande Justice Court. JP2.

[00:00:51]This is the time and place set for civil traffic hearings. The first case before the court is State of Arizona versus case number CT 63. For the state, Deputy F. Sloot. And can I have you raise your right hand, Deputy?

[00:01:08]>> Yes, sir.

[00:01:09]>> Do you swear affirm that the testimony that you will provide to this court will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

[00:01:14]>> I do, Your Honor.

[00:01:15]>> Thank you. This is an informal hearing.

[00:01:17]The purpose is to give both sides a chance to tell me what happened.

[00:01:21]The state has the burden of proving the charges, so it must go first. The burden of the state is proved by a preponderance of the evidence, which means that it's more likely than not the violation has occurred. State, do you have any evidence or witnesses that you wish to present today?

[00:01:36]>> No, Your Honor.

[00:01:38]>> State, you may proceed.

[00:01:39]>> Your Honor, on Thursday, 2026, I was on patrol as a member of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit, operating an unmarked Ford Explorer, um gray in color with no overt law enforcement markings.

[00:01:52]At approximately 8:11 in the morning, I was southbound on Thornton from [clears throat] Highway 84. At the time, I observed a white Camaro in front of me. Vehicle was in the the far right lane or the number two lane. I was in the number one lane. I pulled up next to it, looked over, observed the driver manipulating his wireless communication device. Based on that that violation, I conducted a traffic stop with that vehicle, contacted the driver who was identified as a with a picture I was on the driver's license as Mr. seated next to me in a light blue shirt. Mr. I had a conversation as to the the reason for my stop. I advised him that it was because he was using his cell phone.

[00:02:30]>> You're not allowed to text and drive in Arizona.

[00:02:32]>> At which point he said, "I was."

[00:02:34]>> I'm sure you were doing something, but you were holding your phone.

[00:02:36]>> I was.

[00:02:37]>> He was using it for GPS. Also, during my initial contact, Mr. wasn't wearing his seat belt as required by 28-909.

[00:02:44]Mr. was issued citations for the applicable observed violations of operating a vehicle while using a portable wireless communication device, 28-914 A1A.

[00:02:55]And lap and shoulder belts required, 28-909 A1. He was provided a copy of the citation and released shortly thereafter. The totality of these events occurred both within Pinal County and within the jurisdiction of this court.

[00:03:09]>> Thank you.

[00:03:10]>> Sir, do you have any questions of the deputy?

[00:03:13]>> No, your honor.

[00:03:14]>> Do you wish to provide testimony at this time?

[00:03:16]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:03:17]>> Can I have you raise your right hand, please?

[00:03:20]Do you swear or affirm that the testimony that you will provide to this court will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

[00:03:25]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:03:26]>> Thank you. [clears throat] You may proceed.

[00:03:28]>> All right, only thing in question is my mobile device in my hand.

[00:03:32]Um and yes, I was operating to to light GPS, your honor. This is that Unfortunately, my vehicle is a older model vehicle. It's a 2010, so I don't have the luxury of having Bluetooth that will connect to today's devices um to be hands-free. Um I know that's no excuse, but I'm hoping that the letter of the law today can be looked at a little bit than the letter of the law.

[00:03:54]This is what the deputy pulled me over and we had a very amicable conversation on the side of the road. And yes, I did not I could not stop when he came up to my vehicle. I had my lap and shoulder belt on.

[00:04:05]But I know what the initial stop was for. So I just wanted to give my two cents worth on just what happened that day.

[00:04:11]>> Thank you. Deputy, do you have any further for the state?

[00:04:14]>> I do not, your honor.

[00:04:15]>> Based on the testimony, the court will find the defendant responsible for operating a vehicle while using a portable wireless device. Assess a fine of $300. The court will find the defendant responsible for lap and shoulder belt required A1 and assess defendant a fine of $200.10.

[00:04:36]Deputy, do you have any further cases before the court today?

[00:04:38]>> No, your honor, I don't.

[00:04:39]>> You are excused.

[00:04:40]>> [clears throat] >> Thank you, your honor.

[00:04:42]>> All right, everyone. So that's court. I gave testimony on behalf of the state.

[00:04:46]The defendant had a chance to give his side of the story. Judge Winston weighed the facts and came to his decision. So no hard feelings. I had a great conversation with the defendant afterwards. Absolutely great, even though both my citations were upheld, we still left here amicably. I really appreciate being a part of this process.

[00:05:06]I appreciate Judge Winston allowing us to get inside the courtroom and show all of you what goes on. It's good to be a spoke in the wheel of justice.

[00:05:15]>> [music]