Explain To Me How This Is Legal

A new Massachusetts law that took effect recently has many motorists angry, and rightly so. "Armed with the knowledge that more than 250,000 tickets for civil motor vehicle infractions were challenged in the state last fiscal year, legislators have voted to charge drivers $25 for such hearings." In other words, if you get a speeding ticket or moving violation, and plead not guilty, you will automatically be charged $25.

"State Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, was a member of the conference committee that discussed attaching a cost to clerk hearings. Legislators estimate the change will yield $5 million this fiscal year in revenue, all of which will be returned to the court system's budget.

By law, drivers who receive tickets for civil motor vehicle infractions are entitled to a hearing with a clerk magistrate. Until this fiscal year, which started Wednesday, there has been no cost to drivers who want to plead their case in front of a clerk, though it does cost $20 for drivers who lose the clerk hearing and want a second appeal with a judge.

With trial courts collectively taking an $18 million hit this year, Mr. Brewer said, 'This provides a measure of restoration.'”

Basically, the powers that be in Massachusetts have decided that your right to plead not guilty before a court clerk is worth $25 to them, money they apparently need to reimburse the courts for all the times they have to hear whiny motorists contest their tickets. It amounts to a personal taxation for exercising your rights. Last time I checked, such freedoms were not taxable. However, with the state budget deficit approaching a billion dollars, it appears as though nothing is beyond taxation.