How often do CHP show up at traffic ticket trials?

[OS]

Curious if any one knows from first hand experience or anyone near them. I hear that they actually show up very often. If you are here to rip on me, save it for yourself, I don't want to hear it.

 

[nateholtrop]

yaaaa they do,


Nate

 

[stonythug]

No first hand experience here either, but I've heard the same. I heard they almost always show up in California for some reason. Other states you can get away with it, but I guess they make it a point to come to the trials here. Not only that, but I heard that if you show up to challenge it and lose the penalties can be worse than just the fine. I don't know, like I said, my friend from out of state just got an extremely fvcked up ticket and so he was asking around about it too. Good luck.

 

[Russ]

They ALWAYS show up. You're screwed.

Russ, NCNE

 

[loogie]

Yeah, Ponch always shows up because he doesn't have anything else better to do.

 

[OS]

Russ,

I'm thinking about arranging a trial around friday evening. Hopefully the cop will have something better to do.

 

[I'm Typing]

Outer: Get a fscking lawyer. There are law firms that specialize in beating traffic tickets. You are a fool if you want to try to settle this yourself.

 

[OS]

You think so? The ticket will cost me 281 dollars, I was thinking about dealing with it myself, but if you have other suggestions, I'm listening. What's the cost associated with a lawyer?

 

[Optimus]

I think Cops get paid overtime pay to go to court... that would sure beat trying to convince Bubba to put his clothes back on and sleep it off at home for regular pay for an hour!

 

[apoppin]

ALWAYS

You can depend on it. Unlike Hawaii - for example, where a show-up is optional for the officer - California Law requires the police officer attend. If he does not, he will get a big fine and a contempt of court citation.

Let's see, your chances of NOT having the officer show up is about as good as winning the California State Lottery . . . it happens sometime. However, I wouldn't count on it.

EDIT: $281. Cheap compared with hiring a lawyer (If I remember its for 102 mph in the 65). Ask the judge drop it to 99 mph (since it was "estimated" and ask for traffic court (instead of contesting the ticket in a trial). That way your insurance won't skyrocket when you lose the case.

Unless you are fighting a DUI or serious offence, a lawyer is an added expense.

 

[OS]

I was not aware of that. I guess Russ was closer that I thought. Well, I've been reading up on this situation and there are a couple of legal arm twistings that one can do, but they are fairly time consuming. I just received a reply from a lawyer and he will charge me 1k flat to represent my case, and says I will not win without defense He straight up told me to pay the ticket, hah hah hah. Sucks to be me.

 

[apoppin]

Check my edit.

Forget the lawyer. $281 is cheap and the court will arrange payments for you.

 

[OS]

The ticket wasn't for speeding, that was someone else's post. My ticket is for driving solo in a carpool lane and only worth one point. No doubt rude of me, but I was running late for a final exam at the time. The main reason I don't want to pay it is more a principal thing than anything else.

 

[apoppin]

For some reason tickets come in pairs and trios. Be extra careful.

I ALWAYS take traffic court to keep the one point off my record. It about $39 of good insurance.

That lawyer gave you good advice - pay the ticket. A lawyer can't guarantee ANYTHING (except to add his fees).

Quite often you can bargain with the judge (instead of going to a trial) to have the offence lessened and the fine reduced (if you have a good record). Ask for payments.

EDIT: Carpool lane violation . . . hmm. I don't know if theris any discretion allowed the judge. Look up the DMV statute. I imagine $281 is the maximum, not minimum fine. If you have a good record, are really polite and have a reasonable "excuse" (and a "never again, I'll be more careful, your honor&quot you may pay much much less.

Good luck!

 

[OS]

Ok, more details. Worst traffic jam I've seen in months on the 10 and I was late to a final. Decided to cheat and take the carpool lane. Cop got a hold of me. That's about it. Can you talk to the judge, have the fine reduced AND take traffic school?

 

[apoppin]

See my edit.

I keep editing my edits . . .

Yes, you can talk to the judge. It's called pleading "guilty with an excuse". Here you have a chance to be a salesman and ask basically for mercy. You knew you were wrong, it hasn't happened before, you learned and you'll never do anything like it again and can you please have traffic school.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

From my experience: plead guilty and you get 25% of the max, fight and get either 0 or 100% of the fine. Sounds like you may want to plead guilty.