Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Lawrence Meyers said Friday that he ended his four-year fight over a speeding ticket by doing more than making a $535.90 payment.
The Fort Worth judge also wrote a letter of apology to Austin Municipal Court."I told them I'm really sorry," said Meyers, one of nine judges on the state's highest criminal court. "I feel that I was very foolish for extending this all this time, and I'm just glad it's over with. From the beginning, I should have worked it out."On Thursday, an American-Statesman article detailing Meyers' protracted fight over a 2008 speeding ticket prompted the judge to submit an online payment ending his case --and voiding an arrest warrant for nonpayment of his fine -- later that day.In an interview Friday explaining why he chose to pay his fine, forgoing a planned appeal of his speeding conviction, Meyers said coverage of the case made him realize that he had overzealously pursued his challenge of the ticket."It was a real awakening on how I'd lost my perspective on this case," he said.Meyers, for 19 years a judge on the Court of Criminal Appeals, had extended his fight over the ticket by employing legal tactics seldom seen in municipal court, including a writ of habeas corpus to overturn one conviction.The story of Meyers' legal battle, waged long beyond the typical traffic court case, had become a staple on Texas talk radio and received prominent attention in several national legal blogs. In his letter of apology to the municipal court's judges and staff, Meyers acknowledged that coverage reflected a "problem litigant" who had lost sight of the goals of the criminal justice system.Speaking Friday by phone, a contrite Meyers said he believed he had a valid defense for speeding on Interstate 35 in North Austin. While driving in the left lane, he said, an emergency vehicle pulled behind him looking like it needed to pass, even though its overhead lights were off. Meyers said he sped up to let the vehicle by, and that's when he was caught going 79 mph in a 60-mph zone.In hindsight, however, Meyers acknowledged that the effort spent fighting what began as a $193 ticket was out of proportion.Municipal court officials declined to comment on Meyers' letter but confirmed that he hand-delivered it to court offices Thursday.A search of court records, however, showed that Meyers hadn't yet paid a $75 fine, plus a $25 late fee, after an Austin re- light camera photographed his car running a stoplight in January 2010. Meyers previously said he will investigate the matter and pay any fine he owes.Here are excerpts from Meyers' letter to Austin Municipal Court judges:"I would like to convey to the judges and staff of the Austin Municipal Court system my apologies for the inconvenience that I have no doubt caused you. While my tactics in handling my traffic ticket have been within the rules that govern the municipal process, after reading the Austin American Statesman story of November 29, 2012, it became clear to me that I was overzealous in pursuing my rights."The story reflected the problem with a litigant who loses sight of the goals of our justice system. For this and the obvious nuisance I have been to the court, I apologize. I also want the court to know that I have paid all my fines and I am not seeking any further review of this matter."Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
