LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: COURT POLICIES ARE BUREAUCRATIC

To the editor:

As the parent of a teen-age son involved in a car accident, I accompanied him to Municipal Court in Cape Girardeau. The sign said, "No shorts in the courtroom." It would be nice to know this before your court appearance. I was told to go home and change and come back. With gas prices approaching $2 a gallon, who wants to drive 30 miles to change clothes? When you are issued a ticket, the officer should inform you of the dress code. I personally feel the dress code is unconstitutional.

My son's ticket said to be in court at 1 p.m. The courtroom was packed with people who all had 1 p.m. court times. How inconsiderate, and what a waste of time. It was 3:30 p.m. before his name was called. I had asked a clerk earlier if we could pay the fine and leave. I was told no, you must appear before the judge.

When it was time to pay, we were informed that checks from Illinois residents are not acceptable, even though the check was on a bank in Cape Girardeau. Where would the city be without Illinois people and the money they spend in the city?

There seems to be some discrimination against Illinois residents. Of course, I was not pleased with my son's accident, but the procedures at Municipal Court exemplifies bureaucracy in action.

DAVID TAPLEY

Thebes, Ill.