California carpool violation?
I recently got pulled over for driving in the carpool lane during peak hours in California. I understand the new laws state that the minimum fine as of January 1st, 2007 is $1000.
I have to appear in court pretty soon as is standard procedure for this violation. Is there a way I can fight it or take traffic school to avoid paying the hefty fees?
Please help me!
Traffic School no longer makes the fine go away. So, if you select traffic school, you will have to pay the $1G fine PLUS fees for Traffic School.
Can you fight it? I dont know – are you guilty? If so, then you have no ground upon which to fight the citation. Was the freeway crowded while you were in the lane? Was there a slow moving vehicle that refused to move over, causing you to pass it in the HOV lane? Or, was it only a matter of one or two minutes until the peak hours was over? These excuses MIGHT get you off – but it is highly doubtful.
Best bet is to go to court, admit your guilt, and tell the judge that you cannot possibly afford such a heavy fine. If he INSISTS on the full fine, you can request community service in its place.
In the future, avoid the carpool lane – it is the biggest generator of easy money the CHP has… And, pre-paid legal is the biggest scam that lawyers have on their side.
EEP100 – Lecture 1
