Exhibition of speed??? What do I do?

[kyle03]

I live in Torrance, CA, and was in a restaurant parking lot, and my car started to act funny. It would move, then not move... I thought it might be my transmission (I have a manual). I noticed a police officer watching me, and right away he pulled up with his lights on. I took my seatbelt off to take out my wallet from my back pocket. He gave me a ticket for exhibition of speed and not having my seat belt on! I explained that I was having car trouble, but he didn't care. He watched me have my car towed ( I have a receipt from triple A), and I also have a note from my mechanic stating that it was my rear axle, causing my car to spin and not move. I called a lawyer in torrance, but he's asking $5000 to represent me in court... I'm just wondering if there's any way that I can win this defending myself. I don't have much money, and I truely believe I'm innocent. Please, if someone can give me any type of advice, I'd be very greatful!

 

[CdwJava]

There is a good chance that you will need to have the mechanic come in to explain the problem ... the court may not accept his "note" as proof of the problem.

As for the seatbelt, it is not required in a parking lot, so if you never left the lot you should be able to get that one dismissed.

CVC 27315(d)(1) A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a highway
unless that person and all passengers 16 years of age or over are
properly restrained by a safety belt.​

A parking lot is an "offstreet parking facility" and not a "highway".

CVC 360. "Highway" is a way or place of whatever nature, publicly
maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of
vehicular travel. Highway includes street.​

- Carl

 

[kyle03]

Thanks for the info... greatly appreciated!

Kyle