I received a citation in Ohio many years ago. There was an accident on I-90 through Cleveland down around 256th Street and I was going to get off at the next exit at 222nd Street. The cops were already on the scene and I made the fateful decision to go around the accident on the berm of the road.
A rookie city cop from Euclid, I think, maybe Willoughby Hills, Eastlake or somewhere in that area, signaled me to pull over, which I did. He asked me "What the hell do you think you are doing?" I told him I was going around the accident to exit the ramp at 222nd Street. He gave me a citation. I read the citation and it had my court appearance date and time written on the ticket.
I could have just paid the fine, which was like $25, plus costs or somewhere around there. It was a long time ago. I thought, What the hell, I will plead my case before the judge during night court. The man before me got jail time because it was his 3rd or 4th time for DUI. I thought to myself, "This isn't going to go well." I pled my case to the judge and told him, I just wanted to get off the ramp and make it to school on time. I was very careful and there was plenty of room for me to get around the accident and I didn't cause any additional issues or put anyone in harm's way.
The judge asked me where I was going to school and I told him on that particular day I was to report to Cleveland State for a class, but I usually attended Slippery Rock in PA. He asked what was I studying and I told him Criminal Justice and today they invited students from several different colleges to hear a dissertation by a well-know Detective from LA. He said the fine stands, but he will waive the costs and no points will apply to my PA driver's license. I thanked him and I believe I paid the bailiff.