<p>This semester, I am taking a few courses at UMSL (part-time). UMSL allows students who have paid the student activity fee to get a semester Metro-link pass. </p>
<p>This semester, I have been using the Metro-link to get to and from UMSL. Here's what an UMSL metro pass looks like: <a href="http://cmt-stl.org/wp-content/upload...loyee-Pass.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://cmt-stl.org/wp-content/upload...loyee-Pass.jpg</a> (But this one isn't mine)</p>
<p>As you can see, the pass requires a school ID. One day, however, I forgot (or thought I forgot) my UMSL ID. That was the day that an officer was on the bus and asked to see my ticket. When I showed him my UMSL pass, he also asked for my school ID. </p>
<p>I told him that I didn't have my student ID, but that I could prove that I was an UMSL student (I had a copy of my schedule with me, my book-bag, and I had just departed from the UMSL North Metro-link station). He asked me to step out of the train and wrote me up.</p>
<p>The court date is set for early December. The officer told me that, once I find my ID, I can show it to the judge, and the judge would decide whether to dismiss the case. I asked the officer if it was likely that the judge would dismiss the charge, and he said that he couldn't say for sure. He simply told me to show my student ID to the judge and that the judge would make a determination. When I called the courthouse in which my court is scheduled, the county clerk told me the same thing as the officer. She said that I could show my ID and schedule to the judge and that he would make a decision. I asked her if it was likely that the judge would rule in my favor, and she said that she didn't know. </p>
<p>The sad irony is that my student ID was in my book-bag the entire time. When I came home, I started looking through my book-bag and found it. I had it with me on the train and didn't even know it. It seems likely that it feel out of my wallet. </p>
<p>My other option is to pay $82.50 and have the case completely dismissed. My mother thinks that I should just pay the money and put this thing behind me. My mother also thinks that there are a lot of mean-hearted judges and that I shouldn't bank on getting a reasonable or kind-hearted judge. She also thinks that the judge could extend the case or try to charge me with something else. My mother also worries that, with finals and Xmas fast approaching, something might happen that could derail me from arriving to court on time. </p>
<p>I have very little money, and that $82.50 means a lot to me. I need that money to pay several bills. Secondly, I think that I might actually have a case. That's why I'm considering going to court.</p>
<p>What do you think? What have your experiences with such judges been like, and what advice would you give to someone in my position? </p>
<p>Feel free to PM me.</p>