Civic Forumz - Honda Civic Forum - Learned Alot Today in Court

I went for my First Appearance today at Traffic Court in St. Catherines. It was my first time ever going to court, and I learned quite a bit. It was actually very interesting, and it cleared up some misconceptions that I've always had about the law:

1) In one case, the speeder presented a doctor's note trying to explain that appendicitis was his reason for speeding. The Crown pretty much ripped him a new one. He spoke of "immediate peril", going on to say says that unless the physician indicates in the note that it was a definitive life or death situation, then he won't (or chooses not) to give it any merit

2) I was talking to an OPP officer just outside the courthouse, and he said to me that on the 400 series highways, the OPP uses radar, laser, and "pacing" techniques (that's what he said, don't know if that's what others have heard), with the laser being used the most.

3) This one really got me: one young guy (19 I'd say) had a ticket for doing 165 km/h on the 406. The police officer did not show up, but the Justice allowed the Crown to reschedule another trial date, to allow the officer another opportunity to show up. I had no clue that could be done.

4) I realize that there's a certain degree of formality in the courtroom, but I had no idea to what degree; the justice yelled at one person for chewing gum, and told another person to leave for whispering to the person sitting next to them during a trial.

I know this is probably common knowledge for most people, but for those who didn't know this type of stuff, I thought it may be useful.