Speeding Ticket

[jiwilson]

I received a speeding ticket on the freeway from the CHP. The officer crossed the dirt median (no divider) in order to stop me and cite me. I was told years ago that the officers had to obey the traffic laws unless it was an emergency, but I can't located the supporting documentation I need to present my case in court.

Any help?

 

[CdwJava]

I received a speeding ticket on the freeway from the CHP. The officer crossed the dirt median (no divider) in order to stop me and cite me. I was told years ago that the officers had to obey the traffic laws unless it was an emergency, but I can't located the supporting documentation I need to present my case in court.

Any help?

You were told wrong. The officer can cross the divide to make contact with you for an offense he believed you committed.

So, you can challenge the citation the usual ways. You can try to cast reasonable doubt on his estimate of your speed due to position, angle and visibility, you can challenge the validity of the radar, you can plead not guilty and pray the officer does not show for trial and then move for a dismissal, or you can plead guilty and take traffic school to keep the point off your record.

What section were you cited for? Do you know if radar or lidar was used at all?

 

[jiwilson]

The section was 22349(A). I don't know about radar.

Thanks

 

[army judge]

The section was 22349(A). I don't know about radar.

Thanks

No need to waste your time fighting a battle you'll never win.

The state has provided you an easy way to address this citation.

Take a traffic school class in person or even online.

You do the work, the ticket goes away.

The state offers you an easy, effective, and cheap alternative to beating the ticket!

 

[mightymoose]

Yep... nothing wrong with crossing the median to stop you. You can't find the supporting documentation because it doesn't exist. In fact, I am sure you have seen patrol vehicles parked in the median before as well. Traffic school is your way out.

CDW... is CHP using lidar?

 

[CdwJava]

No, I do not think they are yet deploying lidar statewide. I believe they are using it on an evaluation basis as I have heard local CHP officers talking about it.

If the CHP officer were moving, then it is safe to say it was not lidar. It may very well have been a visual observation and not directly by radar anyway.

Jwilson, you may have to pay the fines, but a guilty plea and traffic school may save you from a big insurance hit. But, if you feel you were not speeding then by all means make a fight of it. If you were, then either take a chance at trial or take the easy way out and go for traffic school.