490 dollars for a speeding ticket?!

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by lorinzo

Thanks... California!!! Seems to me that there is a more effective way to generate funds in this state.

Best of luck with your arguments. A suggestion...

Be prepared for:

1. The officer denies stating he "was only 'pretty sure' that he lazed the correct car."

2. Have studies to support your suggestion that laser radar does not work accurately when (out of his car, on top of an on ramp, looking down onto traffic, distance 500 ft. +). Have the actual book(s), or printed material with extra copies to provide to the officer and Court.

i think he's not debating whether he's speeding or not...just the excessive nature of the fine...

[Talk2meg00se]

Originally Posted by lorinzo

Thanks... California!!! Seems to me that there is a more effective way to generate funds in this state.

Best of luck with your arguments. A suggestion...

Be prepared for:

1. The officer denies stating he "was only 'pretty sure' that he lazed the correct car."

2. Have studies to support your suggestion that laser radar does not work accurately when (out of his car, on top of an on ramp, looking down onto traffic, distance 500 ft. +). Have the actual book(s), or printed material with extra copies to provide to the officer and Court.

Thanks for no. 2. Good idea.

[Talk2meg00se]

Originally Posted by mdosu

i think he's not debating whether he's speeding or not...just the excessive nature of the fine...

never admitted to speeding. denied when pulled over, will deny again in court.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by Talk2meg00se

never admitted to speeding. denied when pulled over, will deny again in court.

okay, good luck!

[shuggy]

Delay your ticket as much as possible.

Sent you a PM for a strategy traffic attorneys frequently employ.

[M3PO]

Wow, I got one for 90 (was going more like 85) in a 65 and I was shocked when it was $386! I thought it was gonna be closer to twice that!

I'm still gonna fight it until the bitter end just to do my "civic duty" to show the state that this is not a legitimate source of revenue.

[Talk2meg00se]

Originally Posted by M3PO

I'm still gonna fight it until the bitter end just to do my "civic duty" to show the state that this is not a legitimate source of revenue.

Good to hear - a fellow brother in arms!

[SDPRT]

I doubt anyone on this forum will be able to set a precedent when fighting speeding tickets. Officers show up with radar/laser device calibration certificates, passing certificate of speed estimations and reasons why your speed was unsafe. Most violators come to court with excuses, no evidence and no witnesses.

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by SDPRT

I doubt anyone on this forum will be able to set a precedent when fighting speeding tickets. Officers show up with radar/laser device calibration certificates, passing certificate of speed estimations and reasons why your speed was unsafe. Most violators come to court with excuses, no evidence and no witnesses.

That's not the point. My primary goal is to waste as much of the regulators' and officers' time and money as possible. While I recognize and fully admit that I broke the law, these insane fine amounts are driven in part by the state and local governments recognizing citations as a form of income. I am simply doing my part to make sure that they break even or loose out on the deal so as to not reinforce their idea that this is a legitimate source of income.

Plus, as an American, I love to utilize the opportunities that the law provides me to weasel out of a conviction.

[mPlasticDesign]

Even if the judge reduces the fine, my time is worth way more than the $100-200 I might save sitting in court for 2hrs.

[Talk2meg00se]

Originally Posted by M3PO

That's not the point. My primary goal is to waste as much of the regulators' and officers' time and money as possible. While I recognize and fully admit that I broke the law, these insane fine amounts are driven in part by the state and local governments recognizing citations as a form of income. I am simply doing my part to make sure that they break even or loose out on the deal so as to not reinforce their idea that this is a legitimate source of income.

Plus, as an American, I love to utilize the opportunities that the law provides me to weasel out of a conviction.

yep, nailed it. and i'll be showing up to court with more than just an excuse.

[Hujan]

A hearty "good luck" from one attorney to another!

This is not to discourage you (more to setup a funny story), but sometimes being an attorney can hurt as much as help. A long time ago, I was working as one of two judicial clerks (read: legal advisors) to the Chief Justice of my state's supreme court. One day I got a ticket. Because it was my second ticket in a year, I couldn't take traffic school. So I thought I would mosey on down to the city attorney's office, introduce myself (and my title), and talk my way out of it.

Well the city attorney assigned to my case wasn't having it. She not only refused to adjust the ticket, but informed me I also had to pay some sort of administrative fee that I knew was BS. Ultimately, I told her to pound sand, came back a different day, and dealt with a different attorney. He was cool, knocked the ticket in half, and didn't demand the admin fees. Also, somehow the ticket never showed up on my driving record.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by M3PO

That's not the point. My primary goal is to waste as much of the regulators' and officers' time and money as possible. While I recognize and fully admit that I broke the law, these insane fine amounts are driven in part by the state and local governments recognizing citations as a form of income. I am simply doing my part to make sure that they break even or loose out on the deal so as to not reinforce their idea that this is a legitimate source of income.

Plus, as an American, I love to utilize the opportunities that the law provides me to weasel out of a conviction.

This...

[SDPRT]

Originally Posted by M3PO

That's not the point. My primary goal is to waste as much of the regulators' and officers' time and money as possible. While I recognize and fully admit that I broke the law, these insane fine amounts are driven in part by the state and local governments recognizing citations as a form of income. I am simply doing my part to make sure that they break even or loose out on the deal so as to not reinforce their idea that this is a legitimate source of income.

Plus, as an American, I love to utilize the opportunities that the law provides me to weasel out of a conviction.

The only time being wasted is yours (law abiding citizen who broke a vehicle code). Where as most of us can't influence tax assessments and other forms of revenue we can ensure the state/local government doesn't get any more our money by not violating a law. Don't break a law (or at least don't get caught) means not having to contribute to their illegitimate source of income.

I would love to witness someone on the stand tell the court that everyone's time is being wasted, fines are illegitimate and that they are breaking even or making the government lose money merely by their court appearance.

[Endless619]

Here is a good read if some of you are interested....Its how speed limits in the state of California are set.

http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/trans/...110509_TAC.pdf

[the_road_less_traveled]

Originally Posted by WillC310

If you break down the cost, there's a shit ton of fees in there. CA is steadily going broke so they kept raising the fees since at least 2011. Straight up from the DMV site:

http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/tra...-penalties.php

"Traffic fines in California are difficult to pinpoint due to additional penalty assessment fees and surcharges that vary by county. Consequently, a ticket with a $35 base fine may actually cost you $146." Oh yeah, as if they didn't fuck you over enough: "The state charges a 20% surcharge on all traffic tickets. This means, for example, a $40 fine will incur a surcharge of $8."

This article explains a lot of it.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/...becomes-a-235/

Basically, they can sneaking these f-ing fee's in because most people don't notice it.

Good old California. So glad I no longer live there.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by xfirer1guy

Good old California. So glad I no longer live there.

Unfortunately I would rather live in California than Ohio, any day of the week. lol Been through that rat race crap of a state.

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by Endless619

Unfortunately I would rather live in California than Ohio, any day of the week. lol Been through that rat race crap of a state.

+1 Ohio is a shit hole. I'll take my chances with CA and pay the occasional traffic fine.

[sensi09]

Someone told me he paid $450 for going 60 on PCH plus $100 for traffic school.

I remember paying something like $160 back in '08 for the same ticket.

[the_road_less_traveled]

Originally Posted by Endless619

Unfortunately I would rather live in California than Ohio, any day of the week. lol Been through that rat race crap of a state.

I'd hate to live in Ohio too. I live in Atlanta. Good luck with the looney liberals!

[Sully1Time]

$1659 for going 120+ on the 405 Just north of the 101 this was back in 2010.

It was 3:30am on a monday night, Not a single car in sight on the 405.

I was coming home from a long day at work on my GSXR1000 decided to hit it

from the entrance onto the 405 from 101. CHP was rolling north on 405 and

saw me hit it. When i backed out at my exit (Sherman Way West) he was right

on me with all his lights on. He had no idea how fast i was going but could not

keep up with his cruiser maxed out(135mph) So wrote ticket for 120+ I about

shit myself when went to pay the fine at the clerks desk.

So i'd say your fine is about right.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by Sully1Time

$1659 for going 120+ on the 405 Just north of the 101 this was back in 2010.

It was 3:30am on a monday night, Not a single car in sight on the 405.

I was coming home from a long day at work on my GSXR1000 decided to hit it

from the entrance onto the 405 from 101. CHP was rolling north on 405 and

saw me hit it. When i backed out at my exit (Sherman Way West) he was right

on me with all his lights on. He had no idea how fast i was going but could not

keep up with his cruiser maxed out(135mph) So wrote ticket for 120+ I about

shit myself when went to pay the fine at the clerks desk.

So i'd say your fine is about right.

Wow I was clocked at 137 mph back in 1994 and CHP wrote me for going 75 in a 65 when I admitted I was going 150+. Fine was $197 bucks. Ticket would have been $500 though in 1994 for going 120+ mph and actually getting cited for that speed. It would have also included impounding my car and loosing my license for 12 months. Again, this was 1994.