But this time was different.

For all those who drive on Grand River Avenue or the other streets of downtown East Lansing on a regular basis, the flashing lights of East Lansing police cars as they pull someone else over can be a frequent encounter. And when those lights are meant for you, it likely causes some tension, swearing, anger and confusion — along with the “why me?” aspect of it all.

I love to drive. It’s relaxing to me. Even though driving in a college town jam-packed with bikers and pedestrians can be stressful, I embrace all the time I have behind the wheel.

Driving the speed limit, I went through what I believed was a yellow light. When I was a block past the traffic signal, the disheartening lights flashed upon me. The officer said the traffic light had changed red while I was going through the intersection and it was illegal to make such a poor judgement call.

Although I respect the judicial system and the people behind it, the two representatives I encountered through this ticket disrespected me and need to rethink the way they treat the average person.

With the ticket in my hands, I asked how much the ticket would cost and what it would do to my driving record. The officer could not give me an answer to any of my questions. I simply said, “Thank you officer, and thank you for ruining my day.”

Wednesday, two months after the traffic encounter, I would regret the little comment I had ended with when it came time to show up at court.

Outside the courtroom I greeted the officer politely and spoke about a plea bargain with him. I wondered what my options were, and if it would be at all possible to reduce or erase the points I potentially would receive. My dad came along for moral support, but what the officer said to me came as a shock to both of us.

The officer told me he distinctly remembered me and had a problem with the rude comment I had made about him ruining my day.

Rude or angrily honest?

I’m sure, even if he was a young cop, he’d encountered much worse, and it was unbelievable that he would even remember the small comment I made.

However, he agreed to charge me for failure to yield if the judge understood and gave me the opportunity to request to do so. I thanked him and sighed a breath of relief for the consideration.

Later, looking the judge in the eye and trying to be as poised and calm as I could be given I was genuinely nervous and intimidated, I explained my side of the story.

My efforts to sway the judge caused him to smirk and literally chuckle out loud at what I had to say.

This is what got me. Whether I deserved the ticket or not, it was completely disrespectful of the judge to act the way he did toward me.

It occurred to me that no matter how rude the officer might have thought I was, this judge was out of line presenting himself in such an insulting manner.

It got worse. When finally given the chance to request my case be adjusted to failure to yield, I was shot down by the very own police officer that had agreed to the plea bargain. The snide tone of the officer who would not even look at me after denying my request is something I vowed never to use with someone.

Why he went back on his word I could not tell you. Whether it was karma, the “rude” comment I made or the laughing judge that made him change his mind, it is no excuse for the discourtesy I was part of.

I’d meant no major disrespect with my comment. I was just blowing off some steam. I’d imagine such a small comment from a young woman such as myself is probably one of the least intimidating conversations that specific cop will ever have.

When it comes down to it, respect should be used for all people, unless they have premeditated desires to hurt you. Those inflated with power especially should be no exception to that rule. It’s time to confront those that are hypocritical or disrespectful.

So sorry, officer. Sorry I so wrongly said you ruined my day.

Casey Nesterowich is a State News staff writer. Reach her at nestero2@msu.edu.