I can relate to the article, “Should you pay that traffic ticket or fight it?” written by Claude Paquin in the March 4, 2009 edition of The Citizen.

In August 2008, a Fayetteville police officer stopped me and informed me that I had gone through a stop sign without stopping.

I knew this was not true, I not only stopped but saw the police car parked on my right halfway up the hill.

He gave me a citation and I had to appear in court on Sept. 16, 2008. I pleaded not guilty, and had a court hearing on Feb. 4, 2009, and I still pleaded not guilty.

The judge informed me if I took the stand and lied under oath I could go to jail.

I took the stand after the police officer and swore I did not run the stop sign. The judge fined me $150.

I guess he thought I was lying and believed the policeman.

I am an 80-year-old widow on a very small fixed income and I could not afford $150 for something I was innocent of, so I guess you should just pay the traffic ticket and not fight it. That would save you a lot of time and stress.

Anne Copen

Fayetteville, Ga.