Facing a 4th Point in CA in Less Than A Year for Traffic Citations-My Options?

[SoCalM3Mang]

Fellas...it's with great sadness I say I was pulled over tonight at 9:35PM on Lake Avenue in Pasadena taking my out of town Buddy (a prominent Pepperdine Attorney)over to his friends House on Cordova Road.

It was Pasadena PD and they were clearly profiling my car as they followed me without their lights on for about 3/4 of a mile. I saw them the entire time and when they pulled me over they asked me why they pulled me over. I usually say, "I was speeding Officer". Tonight I was driving within the limit(albeit with an RPI Axle Back Exhaust)and they made up an infraction CVC 22100(Right Turn not from turning lane)saying i didn't signal when I moved over from left lane on Lake to turn onto Cordova in one move.

Anyways, this is technically (without yet being convicted) my 4th Point in less than 12 months. Only one ticket is a Speeding ticket. The other 3 points were from profile stops in San Marino and Solvang for tint, illegal front bumper and according to the Cops illegal lane changes.(all on my 550i) My last real speeding ticket was in November of 2007.

The 4th Point is "Revocation of License" and mediation by Judge.

I absolutely positively must do everything in my power to get this ticket dismissed.

I also feel emotionally devastated as I have been modding my car and just got her to a level where she is RIDICULOUSLY FUN TO DRIVE! Make no mistake about it, I don't drive like a retard or even fast. I have a 16 Month old Muscle B and since I received the form letter from CA in January saying I was one more point away from having my license revoked, I drive safe all the time. I really do.

I write this post asking our wonderfully intelligent and connected community for help? Should I hire an attorney? Find somebody here that knows somebody that works for Pasadena PD to take care of the ticket for me?

What is the likelihood the judge won't suspend my license? Does anybody know a good Traffic Attorney who works SGV/Pasadena?

I know CA is completely on the brink of defaulting and cops are being asked to generate revenue. I don't blame them.

I'd just like to have a cogent strategy in trying to get this ticket dismissed.

The saddest thing about this happening was I was on my way to meet Shady1 and Tightie to check out all of our cars together.

Shady1 drove out here from Texas to meet up.

I'm so sorry James and Josh. Believe me I wanted to drive out.

It wouldn't have been prudent putting myself into jeopardy with CHP additionally. And I couldn't concentrate very well being so upset over the BS ticket.

I 'd appreciate any help and advice you brothers could offer.

Have a great weekend!

[nvez]

Originally Posted by SoCalM3Mang

Fellas...it's with great sadness I say I was pulled over tonight at 9:35PM on Lake Avenue in Pasadena taking my out of town Buddy (a prominent Pepperdine Attorney)over to his friends House on Cordova Road.

It was Pasadena PD and they were clearly profiling my car as they followed me without their lights on for about 3/4 of a mile. I saw them the entire time and when they pulled me over they asked me why they pulled me over. I usually say, "I was speeding Officer". Tonight I was driving within the limit(albeit with an RPI Axle Back Exhaust)and they made up an infraction CVC 22100(Right Turn not from turning lane)saying i didn't signal when I moved over from left lane on Lake to turn onto Cordova in one move.

Anyways, this is technically (without yet being convicted) my 4th Point in less than 12 months. Only one ticket is a Speeding ticket. The other 3 points were from profile stops in San Marino and Solvang for tint, illegal front bumper and according to the Cops illegal lane changes.(all on my 550i) My last real speeding ticket was in November of 2007.

The 4th Point is "Revocation of License" and mediation by Judge.

I absolutely positively must do everything in my power to get this ticket dismissed.

I also feel emotionally devastated as I have been modding my car and just got her to a level where she is RIDICULOUSLY FUN TO DRIVE! Make no mistake about it, I don't drive like a retard or even fast. I have a 16 Month old Muscle B and since I received the form letter from CA in January saying I was one more point away from having my license revoked, I drive safe all the time. I really do.

I write this post asking our wonderfully intelligent and connected community for help? Should I hire an attorney? Find somebody here that knows somebody that works for Pasadena PD to take care of the ticket for me?

What is the likelihood the judge won't suspend my license? Does anybody know a good Traffic Attorney who works SGV/Pasadena?

I know CA is completely on the brink of defaulting and cops are being asked to generate revenue. I don't blame them.

I'd just like to have a cogent strategy in trying to get this ticket dismissed.

The saddest thing about this happening was I was on my way to meet Shady1 and Tightie to check out all of our cars together.

Shady1 drove out here from Texas to meet up.

I'm so sorry James and Josh. Believe me I wanted to drive out.

It wouldn't have been prudent putting myself into jeopardy with CHP additionally. And I couldn't concentrate very well being so upset over the BS ticket.

I 'd appreciate any help and advice you brothers could offer.

Have a great weekend!

You really should get an attorney, it's safe (as in more of a guarantee to get your license back).

Sucks for you though, should have contested the tickets before this one..

[SoCalM3Mang]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

Please don't suggest that you want somebody to commit fraud on your behalf.

Good luck.

Thanks Bro! I wasn't suggesting somebody to commit fraud. I was asking if there was a legit way to have the ticket reduced to a non-point infraction? I guess there isn't. But fraud is never an option with me.

How long is the suspension for 4 points on your license?

Is there anyway to take any Driving Courses that reduce points off your license?

Originally Posted by nvez

You really should get an attorney, it's safe (as in more of a guarantee to get your license back).

Sucks for you though, should have contested the tickets before this one..

I contested every ticket. I also did Trial by Declarations. CA is fiscally bereft and needs every dollar. Very difficult to get off.

My only regret is not hiring an attorney for every one! Lesson Learned.

Thanks.

[slipstream]

Sorry about your ticket. Sounds like harassment to me.

The state was not bankrupted by a political party, it was bankrupted by a combination of the mortgage meltdown, the credit crisis, and the stupid 2/3 majority rule for passing state budgets. The last one is my personal favorite. That rule puts a requirement on something that has to happen every year equivalent to what it takes to pass a constitutional amendment.

It only took 50% +1 vote to pass the budget rule -- how messed up is that? Yet every year we get held hostage by it. It wouldn't matter who was in power, it's always going to be difficult to get 2/3 of any state's legislators to agree on something as complex as a state budget.

OK. I'm stepping down of the soapbox now. Pardon the interruption.

[spectrumphoto]

If you can afford an attorney then go for it. The problem is going to be that the prosecutor and judge will not likely want to do any type of plea deals once they see your driving record over the last 12 mo.

Ticket Assassin is a good source for fighting Ca tickets.

[Mighty M]

Offer to pay a $2500 fine instead of suspension?

What is this "profiling" you speak of?

[aus]

Originally Posted by slipstream

The state was not bankrupted by a political party, it was bankrupted by a combination of the mortgage meltdown, the credit crisis, and the stupid 2/3 majority rule for passing state budgets. The last one is my personal favorite. That rule puts a requirement on something that has to happen every year equivalent to what it takes to pass a constitutional amendment.

It only took 50% +1 vote to pass the budget rule -- how messed up is that? Yet every year we get held hostage by it. It wouldn't matter who was in power, it's always going to be difficult to get 2/3 of any state's legislators to agree on something as complex as a state budget.

OK. I'm stepping down of the soapbox now. Pardon the interruption.

There were some VERY GENEROUS contracts given to state employee's under Davis that are killing the state.
Spending is out of control and the fools in office want to take gas tax money, which is suppose to go towards fixing roads, and payng for state employees salaries. They are not willing to ax jobs... which is what needs to be done.



For the OP, you get points for tint and the bumper???

[SoCalM3Mang]

Originally Posted by Mighty M

Offer to pay a $2500 fine instead of suspension?

What is this "profiling" you speak of?

Driving down a city street with an 80k car-modded and an RPI Axle Back exhaust will make you "stand out" in CA. Especially with this state in the fiscal condition it currently finds itself in.

And the cops followed me almost 3/4 of a mile without their lights on waiting for me to speed or do something wreckless I assume. If that's not profiling, I don't know what is. Can I prove it? No. It's my word against theirs. But in my passenger seat was a prominent attorney and he's going to make it his mission in his spare time to help me.

It's just a crock and now every time I hit the start button I'm paranoid and looking over my shoulder. It sucks bigtime.

How do you pay a $2500 Fine in lieu of getting your license suspended? I'm ready to sign up for that plan now!

In my doing my google research, I've chosen to get a consultation with this guy ASAP:

Sherman Ellison

Wish me luck. I hope he can give me a cut and dry number immediately as to the cost and likelihood he can get it reduced to a non moving violation/or dismissed altogether.

[laidback]

just my 2 cents and hope this helps...Did you go to traffic school in the past 18 months? if yes I would do trial by declaration (ticketassasin.com) and if that fails, the next step is to go for the trial de novo were you will be facing the judge, ask the judge for a 12 hour traffic school so you won't have a point on your record...

Originally Posted by SoCalM3Mang

Fellas...it's with great sadness I say I was pulled over tonight at 9:35PM on Lake Avenue in Pasadena taking my out of town Buddy (a prominent Pepperdine Attorney)over to his friends House on Cordova Road.

It was Pasadena PD and they were clearly profiling my car as they followed me without their lights on for about 3/4 of a mile. I saw them the entire time and when they pulled me over they asked me why they pulled me over. I usually say, "I was speeding Officer". Tonight I was driving within the limit(albeit with an RPI Axle Back Exhaust)and they made up an infraction CVC 22100(Right Turn not from turning lane)saying i didn't signal when I moved over from left lane on Lake to turn onto Cordova in one move.

Anyways, this is technically (without yet being convicted) my 4th Point in less than 12 months. Only one ticket is a Speeding ticket. The other 3 points were from profile stops in San Marino and Solvang for tint, illegal front bumper and according to the Cops illegal lane changes.(all on my 550i) My last real speeding ticket was in November of 2007.

The 4th Point is "Revocation of License" and mediation by Judge.

I absolutely positively must do everything in my power to get this ticket dismissed.

I also feel emotionally devastated as I have been modding my car and just got her to a level where she is RIDICULOUSLY FUN TO DRIVE! Make no mistake about it, I don't drive like a retard or even fast. I have a 16 Month old Muscle B and since I received the form letter from CA in January saying I was one more point away from having my license revoked, I drive safe all the time. I really do.

I write this post asking our wonderfully intelligent and connected community for help? Should I hire an attorney? Find somebody here that knows somebody that works for Pasadena PD to take care of the ticket for me?

What is the likelihood the judge won't suspend my license? Does anybody know a good Traffic Attorney who works SGV/Pasadena?

I know CA is completely on the brink of defaulting and cops are being asked to generate revenue. I don't blame them.

I'd just like to have a cogent strategy in trying to get this ticket dismissed.

The saddest thing about this happening was I was on my way to meet Shady1 and Tightie to check out all of our cars together.

Shady1 drove out here from Texas to meet up.

I'm so sorry James and Josh. Believe me I wanted to drive out.

It wouldn't have been prudent putting myself into jeopardy with CHP additionally. And I couldn't concentrate very well being so upset over the BS ticket.

I 'd appreciate any help and advice you brothers could offer.

Have a great weekend!

[aus]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

That would be fine if were anywhere close to reality. One party has run this state for something like three decades now. As such, the fiscal condition of the state is completely owned by that party. California was backrupt 5 years before the mortgage meltdown even began, and Gray Davis was kicked out because Californians were fed up with it. I'd love to hear the spin that explains how the 2/3 budget rule encourages "both parties" to spend even more irresponsibly -- as opposed to preventing it from happening.

Winston Churchill was once quoted as saying: "Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has no heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains." I'm over 30, so that probably explains why I see things for what they really are, as opposed to seeing them as I've been told to see them.

The problems is, in most of Cali, people don't pull their heads out of their a$$e$ until they're 50-60 years old. We'd be OK if it was just 30 years old.

[spectrumphoto]

Here in Socal, driving around in a BMW is like driving around in a Camry in most other states. BMW's in general are Extremely plentiful here so just because we have a new M3 I would doubt that police were looking just for you. My M has mods (Like an AA Exhaust, intake, tint ect.) and I have to say I get less attention in the M3 then I did in my B7 S4 so as a "Stand Out" car in SoCal most any BMW is not... especially since there are an abundance of $100K+ cars roaming around (Ferrari, Austin Martin, Lambo, Bently, ect)

As far as Lawyers, even the best ones can not give you a 100% positive that their services will in any way help. A judge or ADA is having a bad day you are done for, period. Your previous record is going to be the issue especially if it is lengthy. If you have other "bad driving" infractions from the last several years then you have an established pattern and there is no reason for the ADA to plea you out.

But good luck... pray that you don't get another ticket for a long while.

[skdoosh]

my only question is why are you freaking out, because it seems like 2 of your tickets were for tint, and one for a bumper, were those not fix it tickets. i just got one for my tint, and it is fixable and wont go on my record, as far insurance goes?

I would just say be as nice as possible, and admit fault, and seem real not fake about it, and i would think they would be able to work with you.

Also are you just speculating on this or did you get a court summons, or did the cop say hey your Scewed.

[aus]

Originally Posted by skdoosh

my only question is why are you freaking out, because it seems like 2 of your tickets were for tint, and one for a bumper, were those not fix it tickets. i just got one for my tint, and it is fixable and wont go on my record, as far insurance goes?

I would just say be as nice as possible, and admit fault, and seem real not fake about it, and i would think they would be able to work with you.

Also are you just speculating on this or did you get a court summons, or did the cop say hey your Scewed.

That's what I was wondering. I've never heard of points for tint or a bumper.

[SHADY1]

I hope everything works out fine. Its cool we did not get to meet but I understand how you are feeling. I would be pretty pissed to about the cops and I would do the best I could to fight everything if I was you. Good luck

[SoCalM3Mang]

Originally Posted by skdoosh

my only question is why are you freaking out, because it seems like 2 of your tickets were for tint, and one for a bumper, were those not fix it tickets. i just got one for my tint, and it is fixable and wont go on my record, as far insurance goes?

I would just say be as nice as possible, and admit fault, and seem real not fake about it, and i would think they would be able to work with you.

Also are you just speculating on this or did you get a court summons, or did the cop say hey your Scewed.

I'm freaking out because I can't afford to have my license suspended. Job wise.

I was originally pulled over by San Marino PD and Alhambra PD for tint-front bumper. But each one also cited me for "made up infractions" which consisted of:

"illegal lane change" and "unsafe lane change for driving conditions"

Both crocs and moving violations. So hence 3 points in less than a year now.

Originally Posted by spectrumphoto

Here in Socal, driving around in a BMW is like driving around in a Camry in most other states. BMW's in general are Extremely plentiful here so just because we have a new M3 I would doubt that police were looking just for you. My M has mods (Like an AA Exhaust, intake, tint ect.) and I have to say I get less attention in the M3 then I did in my B7 S4 so as a "Stand Out" car in SoCal most any BMW is not... especially since there are an abundance of $100K+ cars roaming around (Ferrari, Austin Martin, Lambo, Bently, ect)

As far as Lawyers, even the best ones can not give you a 100% positive that their services will in any way help. A judge or ADA is having a bad day you are done for, period. Your previous record is going to be the issue especially if it is lengthy. If you have other "bad driving" infractions from the last several years then you have an established pattern and there is no reason for the ADA to plea you out.

But good luck... pray that you don't get another ticket for a long while.

I agree with you. I didn't say they were looking for me. But obviously you haven't been out in Pasadena lately? They are notorious for looking to give tickets. They heard my car-it's Blacked out and it was at night. They figured it was a high probability that I'd accelerate or do something illegal so they followed me with their lights off.

Hopefully my attorney has such a high success record because he scratches the cops backs and vice versa. I just know it's going to cost money.

Originally Posted by SHADY1

I hope everything works out fine. Its cool we did not get to meet but I understand how you are feeling. I would be pretty pissed to about the cops and I would do the best I could to fight everything if I was you. Good luck

Sorry James! I really am. We'll meet up soon. I promise. Safe travels brother!

[alex310]

Hey, here is some ideas I have learned from getting tickets, and my friends getting tickets for the last ten years here in the California. I highly suggest you DO NOT fight the ticket if option 1 or 2 work for you...

1.If you have not taken traffic school 18months from the date you where "convicted" on the last ticket you took traffic school you may take your first 8hour traffic school which is best to take at speeders.net for 19bucks. If you complete 8hour traffic school and pay all the fees, this ticket will not show on your driving record or insurance.

2.If you have taken a traffic school in the last 18months, some courts (which I haven't found one to this day that doesn't) offer a second 12hour traffic school which you must take in person and not online. If you complete your 12hour traffic school and pay all the fees, the ticket will show on your driving record, and some insurance companies DO COUNT IT (I know AAA does, and Progressive does not check with your own insurance company anonymously so they do not note the call) but you will not get a point, and they judge can not hold it against you.

3. If 1 and 2 do not apply to you, you might be in luck, most cops who work night shifts work till 6am and do not feel like showing up to court or just can't because they have to do overtime or something. Keep in mind, Bike Cops always show up, because that is their only job.

I think since you have received 4 points in less then a year, you really need to change your driving habits, we could say okay, his first point was a mistake, his second one the cop was just an a-hole, but 4 in one year? You are doing something very wrong. Please if you are driving bad, change your habits.

Good luck!

[skim]

sorry to hear and i totally feel your pain.
i have 3 pts on my record so far and i'm due for a court appearance on 8/4
i can take traffic school to avoid getting the 4th point so i guess i should be thankful(?).
i've had my share of luck with CHPs. but yup.. my first ticket was turning without signaling. i thought it would be a $20 ticket, but stupid of me, i had NO idea it's a damn moving violation..
and yes.. it looks like the great CA does everything it can to get their money from you. before for a court date, i could set my time, but now i'm told i'm given the court date and time and what did they slap me with? 3pm court appearance which means i'll need to take half day..

[rAdzM]

Jay,

Sorry to hear about all this brother! I had my license revoked when I was a teenager. I had to pay all my tickets to get my license back. I've been a paranoid since then, always looking for cops every time I drive and when I do I would try to avoid them in every possible way. Not unless I drive perfectly safe car. I'm not a law knows it all guy but like the others said get a lawyer. GL bro!

-Radz

[Vaheb]

When you saw them following, you should have pulled over quick and just put your foot out of the car.

There was no way the cop could give you a ticket if he didn't turn on his signals before you put your foot out of the car.

I would suggest hiring an attorney.

Pasadena PD are bitches..I got a ticket for going 39 in a 35 2 weeks ago, on Altadena.

[Hershey]

I confirm that your front plate & bumper citations are merely "fix-it" tix. They are NOT points on your record. If u were local & we knew each other, I could've prolly signed it off for you without even making it an issue....well-StarBucks would help. LOL

Honestly, there is no "profile" stops....at least for most of the guys I work with....you must have did something while driving that really caught this guys attention. And after running your info out through dispatch- he discovered you have prior CVC offenses then couldn't give you a warning.

Sorry to hear about your issue & PM me if you have any questions regarding court....