ya, regular stuff.. We have that here in Kalifornia too - al the time. I think they invented it out here tho.
No, seriously.. times are really tough and the whole "high tech industry" dowturn and the suffering stock market has created cash shortages and falling tax revenues for localities. It's just simply become understood that these actions are taken for the purpose of "revenue generation".
Here's how it works - I charge you with a petty crime that will cost you more $money$ in lawyer fees to fight than it does to simply show up and plead guilty. What do you do?? Pay a $1000-$2000 fine or hire and attorney and spend $3000 - $5000 to be acquitted? yeah..
So here's all you can do... I'll take a sidebar here to tell you that when I was younger I held a job downtown (near the courthouse) and I would often arrive early to avoid rush hour traffic (working swingshift). To pass time I could walk into an air conditioned courtroom and merely observe...and observe I did..
To help escape the wrath of a "revenue collection" scheme as devious as this you must play their game. If you have to appear in court, Buy a complete new set of clothes for your appearance -from the thrift store. You get bonus points for spending < $1.50
If you can make yourself look pittifully "dressed up" but still maintain that "derelict aroma", they'll just want to get rid of you. If you appear for the EXACT SAME charge and show up wearing gucci loafers, armani slacks, $200 shades - you ARE TOAST. At least that's what my observations have been... This is nothing more than a money machine. Treat it as such and you can learn to avoid it.
Now you know why Slick don't visit the cafe.