Bernie immediately went into his spiel.
His parents live 1,500 miles away in Florida.
Vin has a job that requires him to drive from Sharon to Braintree daily.
He never saw the driver of the black Galaxie display a badge.
If he had, he would’ve immediately pulled over.
Vin has no prior record and has never been arrested.
I ask the court to consider what would happen to Vin if he lost his driver’s license.
He would lose his job and his ability to support himself.
What will stick are the charges of speeding and passing in a restricted area… Then Bernie whispered in my ear,“Vin…
It’s called compromise.
They dismiss the heavier charges in favor of the lighter ones.
You keep your license and your job, and they still get to charge you with something.
It’s a win-win.”
I reset and quieted down.
The cop did, too.
The Magistrate looked around the quieted room and asked,“So we’re all in agreement?”
The three of us shook our heads, indicating that we were.
He continued,“Good.
“But, I don’t have that kind of money.
“I got this, Vin.
I’ll pay it…”
The four of us headed downstairs to the cashier.
The Magistrate and the cop watched closely, but all Bernie had on him was $147…
He was a big-time lawyer.
I looked at him and asked,“You need a couple bucks, Bernie?”
It was kinda an embarrassing moment for him.
Then I asked him how much I owed him… Just stop in and make weekly payments until you’re paid up.”
Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental…
