Julie Haran-Castaneda

I took a couple of hours out of my busy and complicated schedule to drive to court just to meet this woman, Ms. Julie Haran-Castaneda. I politely explained to her the reason I "ran a red light" is that I was following the ambulance/"medical transport vehicle" carrying my mother. I was terrified about... losing my mom that day, and I almost did. It is a miracle my mother is alive today. Shortly after I ran that red light, my mom was unbandaged at Community First Medical Center and I discovered she had stage 4 ulcers all over her body down to her bones, which the nursing home where she previously resided (The Grove of Berwyn) had been hiding from me. My mom then spent 5 months hospitalized and I visited her every day including the day I took the time to come to court to contest this ticket. Julie said she did not have the jurisdiction to throw out my red light ticket even though you could clearly see the "medical transport vehicle" in front of me in the photo and video. I would have given more details to Julie but it was clear she was not interested and wanted me to exit the room ASAP. My landlord is an attorney with experience adjudicating traffic violations. He knows my personal situation and also disagreed with Ms. Haran-Castaneda's determination. The $100 is no skin off my back (horribly apropos pun, I know) - just a few hours of income from teaching English online gone. My mom is alive & living with me today, and that's what matters. I wanted to post this only so others do not to waste their precious time contesting tickets if Ms. Haran-Castaneda has been assigned as their judge. She doesn't have time to listen to you and your problems, nor does she care enough to hear cases on a case-by-case basis; you won't get anything from her beyond a habitual response. She had already made her determination well before I even opened my mouth. I got no impression she is concerned with justice.

Came in to defend my ticket and tow. Was completely respectful and profesional. PROVED the towing sign was COVERED in vegetation. Sign was Impossible to read. After 15 minutes of looking through my 10 pages of evidence, she then suddenly Still ruled in favor of the city because she disagreed with the... enormous tree in the way. Told her I want to go to another judge. Takes my evidence anyways. Tells me I have to start paying attorney fees if I want to proceed to the circuit court. It would have cost her nothing to do the right thing but chose not to anyways. What a c***

I got a ticket for not having a city sticker. My car is not registered in the City of Chicago or in Cook County. When contesting the ticket, I sent in proof of address and my registration card that proofs my car's registration is from another city and county and she ignored all the evidence sent to h...er and now. I either pay the $200 ticket or $400 to make an appeal. RIDICULOUS!

Paid for an Illinois sticker well in advance. Ticket did not arrive. Was ticked by Chicago PD. Had email proof that ticket had been purchased and was confirmed by City of Chicago. Went to court. This judge refused to look at my evidence and told me to pay ticket. My other option was to pay $450 to a...ppeal.