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I explained what I was looking for and, to my surprise, said, “Dude, I gave a lot of tickets then.” I would finally email him the public health order in effect the day I was fined and an hour later he replied that he had recommended that the ticket be withdrawn. At my appearance a few days later, the prosecutor withdrew the ballot.
It is hard not to conclude that the system failed at all levels. Police were not informed of the law they were enforcing. The state’s efficiency mechanism, the pre-trial review by Revenue NSW, showed that it also misunderstood the law and had no interest in removing any charges from the courts. There was never clarity about the crime, further increasing the difficulty in defending oneself.
Then there is the same court. It was crowded and largely unmasked, a much more dangerous place than the park. All of this becomes even more unfair because people who represent themselves speak to the judge after those who have lawyers have their chance. As a result, people without resources are exposed to more viruses than others.
All of this supports what we already knew: the system is shockingly unbalanced against the defendants without means. The state seems to withdraw these fines only when you take it to court and show that you have the means. The fairest, safest and least expensive way is to issue a general pardon to all COVID entries.