Cliff notes: Officer didn't show up, ticket wasn't dismissed. Appealing.

Long version:

My fiance received a $125 speeding ticket in Ohio. The officer told her to go to court, because the mayor/judge was lenient on college students. So we went, and since she was guilty, and we didn't have much of a case otherwise, we decided that she would plead no contest & ask for leniency (speed limit went from 55 to 25, she didn't slow down as fast as the officer thought she should have).

Anyway, we went, and the judge asked her why she showed up, as her ticket didn't require her to appear. She informed him that the officer advised her to. He still didn't see why, but then asked her why she was there (i think this violated the rules on court members giving advice...). He asked her to explain things, at which point she said she was going to plead no contest, and simply read her statement of what happened. He wrote a few things down, gave some paperwork to the bailiff, and asked her to follow him.

He did NOT read her rights, nor did he ask her if she understood that any statements she made could be used against her. The officer who issued the ticket was not present. So, the bailiff explained that the judge reduced the ticket to $80.

So, I need to write an appeal, and I'd like to know what other laws I can cite in the appeal, and if there are any websites that have appeal templates.

Also, could we see the township for not giving my fiance her day in court?

Thanks!

i'm not positive, but if you plead no contest, the officer does not have to show up. if you plead not guilty its your word against his, then he has to be there to give his side.