Arizona gives visitor a lesson in speedy justice

Fine issued at 3:14; case in court at 3:45; justice delivers verdict by 4:25. Remarkable

With the Supreme Court’s decision in the Jordan case telling us that “justice delayed is denied,” with respect to section 11 B of the Charter (the right to be tried within a reasonable time), it might be time to examine how other jurisdictions deal with sclerosis in the legal system.

The state of Arizona might have some answers. I was in Tempe, Arizona, visiting a daughter studying at Arizona State over U.S. Thanksgiving and experienced their system first-hand.

We picked up the rental car from Avis, loaded my mobility scooter in the trunk and parked in a handicapped spot outside the hotel. I placed my expired disabled placard in the windshield, having forgotten my valid sticker in Victoria when my car went in for 10 days on a recall.

No problem, I told myself, no one checks the best-before date on these things.

They do in Arizona. After wandering the streets of Tempe the afternoon of Nov. 21, I scootered up to my Chevy Impala to see an envelope tucked neatly under the windshield wiper. In it was a ticket for $475 for displaying an expired placard and a demand to pay the fine or appear at the Tempe courthouse.

As luck would have it, the courthouse was opposite the hotel, so P.J. and I walked across the street to “appear,” thinking we could talk our way out of this mess.

I explained the above to the cashier, who gave me a sympathetic hearing, but said: “Tell it to the judge.” The cashier noted the ticket had only just been issued and was not in the system.

She asked if I would like her to input it and then see the judge, who might give me more time to produce a valid sticker. I said great, but we’re only here for a few days, so when could I see the judge?

“Now,” said the clerk. “She’s right behind me in Courtroom 6.” “Let’s do it,” I said. My wife, daughter and I trundled into Judge Harris’s courtroom. She seemed very affable, accompanied by her efficient judicial officer.

There were two cases before me. The first was just being dispatched as we entered. The second was a man who had lost his driver’s licence and hadn’t paid his fine of $150. Judge Harris asked him how much he could afford.

“Thirty-four dollars,” he replied, and was sent to the cashier to do a re-payment plan.

Before we knew it, the judge peered into her computer and announced case No. 17-044302-4, the state of Arizona vs. David G. Allin, and asked me how I pleaded.

I quickly doffed my Grand Canyon cap, got off my scooter, hobbled over on my side sticks and explained my case. Judge Harris entered a plea of “responsible” on my behalf, and I showed her my B.C. Ferries disability card.

Based on my card and her assessment of the situation, Judge Harris concluded I had a valid placard and waived the fine, suggesting that I not use my expired sticker again unless I wished to revisit her.

I looked at my watch. It was 4:25 p.m. The ticket had been issued at 3:14 that day. I was in her court about 3:45.

In the space of 45 minutes, my case had been commenced, processed and dispatched. At 4:30, there was no sign of anyone going home.

Reeling from the speed of the process, I asked myself how long would this have taken in Victoria, B.C.

Is Arizona on to something worth exploring? Everyone from the cashier to judge, clerk and defendant strove to move the file along. In Judge Harris’s court, there was a culture of expediency versus one of complacency that the Supreme Court of Canada has warned against.

We need to encourage a similar culture on the part of all in our system, for as we know: “Justice delayed is justice denied.” David Allin lives in Victoria.