Way back on the fifth, I was hardly out of bed when my grandfather called up to me that there was “a gentleman” here to see me. Okay, I’m thinking it’s a neighbor trying to collect on the $5 application fee he paid for me for the city fire department. Didn’t even bother to put shoes down, go downstairs, and there’s a state trooper standing in the kitchen. I damn near shit a brick, til I found out what he was there for. My former neighbor up at my apartment apparently saw fit to have me charged with harassment. He really wouldn’t tell me much more, other than I’m being accused of “constantly annoying her.”
Right. Let’s see, I was nothing but nice to her, never made anything more than small talk, she has made false accusations about me before, and since those previous accusations I never talked to her again, and only saw her once. Best part is she claims to have a witness. Now that the citation finally came in the mail yesterday, I know who the witness is – some guy I’ve never heard of, seen, or met before, who lives halfway across the county. I don’t know what I did to get on this woman’s bad side, but she either really wants to screw me over for some reason, is expecting me to just plead guilty like a traffic ticket, or – given the supposed witness – has me confused with someone else she may have had a run-in with.
Either way, I’m getting a lawyer. Court scares me, and the last (and only) time I tried to defend myself, I was nervous as hell and couldn’t keep my train of thought – and that was on a much lesser charge (morally speaking, anyway).
Anyway, today comes and there’s another letter waiting for me from the same DJ. What the heck could this be? Ah, my landlord is suing me over back rent. Great. I’m so glad he decided to waste the time and money on this, even though I assured him I would pay him, and he has only contacted me once since – a call to my cell phone back on the 10th that I couldn’t answer, and no message was left. My general philosphy with missed calls and no message is that it must not be that important. I assumed it was either a “hey do you have your stuff out yet” call or a “hey I’m coming in” call.
However, this isn’t entirely bad. I’ve been meaning to speak with a lawyer to discuss possibly suing him for breach of contract with regards to the whole electric heat fiasco. This’ll just serve to get me off my duff and actually do it. Who knows, maybe the same lawyer can take care of both matters for me.
As I’ve said many times before… isn’t life grand?
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I hate court too – it’s like a phobia with me. I’ve never gone to court for me being in trouble (I went for a legal name change and was terrified), but I got my only speeding ticket ever on the day before Thanksgiving last year. I’m commenting because you said “plead guilty like a traffic ticket”. Never do that with a speeding ticket! They expect you to, and only want your money. I fought the ticket by mail without going to court, and the ticket was dismissed. I did this with information I found on the internet.
Hope you find paying a lawyer worth it. I don’t like them too much, myself. Good luck, being in the legal system sucks.
First, the landlord, legally had to do this, or else if you don’t pay they would lose their right to proceed at chasing the money later. Consider this a legality step. You’ll just confirm you are going to pay and when in court. No biggie, since this is your intention.
Second, if the girl is crying wolf, as you say, then you have nothing to worry about, because you have no money. My guess is she is scared about something in her life and looking for someone else to rally in closer. By creating, something from nothing against you and creating concern for herself and safety – hoping the ‘intended’ comes running to protect her.
Patience. This too shall pass – it is aggravating though.
The $124 court costs make it a little more than “no biggie,” though.
And this is no girl, this is a woman in her 40s.