Winston County, Ala., District Judge Michael Newell told The Birmingham, Ala., News that he would have sanctioned any defendant who showed up late to court. He said that by the time he dismissed the tickets some of those with hearings had been waiting for more than an hour.

"I should hold myself to the same standard and that's what I was trying to do," Newell said. "I feel like I did what was appropriate in light of the situation we encountered on Tuesday."

The judge didn't dismiss any drunken driving charges. The tickets involved were for a variety of traffic infractions, including speeding, driving without a license or with expired license plates. There was one for racing on a public street.

John Bentley, the presiding judge, told the News the mix-up was his fault. He didn't realize that Newell had scheduled traffic court for the same day that another judge had a double-docket of probation revocation hearings.