"Using a cellphone while driving" infraction. (California)

[N0Lif3]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. If this happened earlier today, I would've tried calling in to the show.

My entire life I have gone without being caught for violating laws. I'm 22, and I've been driving for four years with a perfect record. I live in California.

Tonight, as I was out driving, a friend called me. I answered, but kept it short because I am aware of the cell phone law. The call was less than 15 seconds. Immediately after hanging up, I drove into a parking lot to pick up a friend from a restaurant. As I pulled into the parking spot, I noticed flashing lights in back of me. I was blocked in by a police car.

He asked me if I was driving while using a cellphone. I truthfully said yes. I wanted to explain to him that I was only on the phone for less than 15 seconds, but I figured it'd just sound like a lousy excuse. So, I didn't say it. As he went through the process, I made sure to ask him to explain himself whenever I could. "This is my first time being pulled over." "I don't understand." "Can I read that before signing it (the ticket)" After getting my ticket, he soon left.

This is really the first time the law has ever bit me. I now have until July 10th to go down to the Police Department and pay the fine or go to court.

I'm a very liberty-minded person. I've been listening to Free Talk Live and I've been inspired by it to push for a voluntary society. I don't believe that I should have to pay for committing this victim-less crime. I would like advice and support as to handling this. Please?

[Cognitive Dissident]

This, other than not believing in government, is what I have against such a law.  I generally do the same thing: answer and tell the person I'm on the road and will pull off (that, or I'll use it on the highway.)  I don't want a ticket for that.

Best thing to do, I'm afraid, is get the hell out of California.  I left eleven years ago and never looked back.


BTW, I think driving in traffic while using a cellphone is dangerous, which is why I avoid it and suggest others do.  You probably feel the same way.

[N0Lif3]

This, other than not believing in government, is what I have against such a law.  I generally do the same thing: answer and tell the person I'm on the road and will pull off (that, or I'll use it on the highway.)  I don't want a ticket for that.

Best thing to do, I'm afraid, is get the hell out of California.  I left eleven years ago and never looked back.


BTW, I think driving in traffic while using a cellphone is dangerous, which is why I avoid it and suggest others do.  You probably feel the same way.

Yeah, before ending the call with my friend, I said "...I'll call you back later, I'm driving." I really do not like to talk on the phone while driving just for safety.

I really do want to leave California. It's such a nanny state.

[BonerJoe]

Best thing to do, I'm afraid, is get the hell out of California.  I left eleven years ago and never looked back.

So...you moved to Colorado. Which is almost just as worse now.

[One two three]

Best thing to do, I'm afraid, is get the hell out of California.  I left eleven years ago and never looked back.

So...you moved to Colorado. Which is almost just as worse now.

CO is a lot less bad than CA.

[N0Lif3]

The more I think about what happened, the more angry I feel. I want to contest this.

[Jetfire]

I've drivin since I was 16 in america and japan. No blemish on my record despite being pulled over 3 times. Once while slightly inebriated. Luck on my part and driving drunk is stupid. I never got a ticket. With the cell I've been different. I just let it go to answering machine and deal with it later. Nothing you can do about the law except hope the cop isn't on a power trip. I got a bluetooth just in case. Preventative laws just make crimials and stops nothing. I see just as many ppl talkin on there phone as before the law passed let alone doing things like reading the paper or putting on makeup

[Cognitive Dissident]

Best thing to do, I'm afraid, is get the hell out of California.  I left eleven years ago and never looked back.

So...you moved to Colorado. Which is almost just as worse now.

*>yawn<*  As if you would know.  According to the last study I saw, it was currently the most free state--tied, actually, with New Hampshire.  Of course, it's not free enough, but we have MMJ here, and possession of a small amount is not a crime here either.

[N0Lif3]

update

Last Friday night, I got that ticket and made this thread.

The very next afternoon (Saturday), around 2pm I went down to the Police Department to have this settled. The woman at the Police told me that the woman who deals with these car violations is only here Monday through Friday, BUT I could go to the court house by 4:30pm and have it settled there. I shrugged, but I was determined to get this over with today. I never like to procrastinate, I just want to get things over with. I felt pretty low and I'm ready to just concede to the government and let them take my money.

I've never been to the court house (neither the police department, but I just knew where that was because of the big Police sign and the mass of police cars that constantly surround it), so I asked the woman at the Police Department for directions. After heading over and finding the court house (which was only a few blocks away), I tried to get inside. The north door said "EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY," the east door said "EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY", the south door also said "EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY." I was really pissed, as you could imagine. Court houses are BIG, so it took me several minutes to get around it. I FINALLY got to the entrance, the west door!

Guess what? CLOSED!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it! The woman at the police department said I could go today and have it settled. Before heading home, I found a security guard and asked her for information about this. She told me that the woman at the police department was mistaken. The court house is closed Saturday and Sundays. It's open Monday through Friday 7:30am-to-4:30pm. Oh how nice. Those government workers have such a great schedule. Bastards!!

There was nothing to do but wait until Monday..

Today is Monday, after class at the college I go to. I made another trip down to the court house. This time, there were many more people walking around, so it was obviously open. I walk into the west entrance and am immediately stopped by the security. I need to get through a security check much like at an airport. I had to empty my pockets and take off my belt to get through the metal detector. Oh how nice! That they have a monopoly on "justice," that they can make me do this just to pay a fucking fine. It's not over yet though..

I proceed to the line for people dealing with their legal disputes. It was a long line, but I must admit that it went quickly. In a couple of minutes I got to the window and showed the woman my ticket. She looks at it for a moment and types some things on her keyboard and then tells me something like the officer who gave me this ticket hasn't processed his copy or something and I'll have to come back in two weeks. I was completely shocked and appalled. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? I can't just pay the fine today?" and she replies with a "nope." I was furious and stormed out of the court house, drove home, and here I am typing still angry at all this crap.

This is absolutely bullshit! I've already spent more than the $20 fine on gasoline and my time. Now they want me to wait two weeks! The ticket says that I need to have this settled by July 10th. By the time two weeks comes I'll be close to my deadline and if for some reason I can't make it then I will have a warrant out for my arrest! This is insane!

[BonerJoe]

That's why it's easier to just pay.

[N0Lif3]

That's why it's easier to just pay.

Obviously you didn't read my post.

[One two three]

That's why it's easier to just pay.

Obviously you didn't read my post.

A lot of tickets come with an address.  You write a check and send it to the address.

So really, you couldn't carry a loaded gun into a police station?  Crazy stuff in CA.

[Lindsey]

That really blows, man.  I definitely would've tried to slip in the time frame of the call in the conversation with the officer.  I would've shown him my call log and the duration of the call as well, if given the chance.  It would be worth a shot to get you out of a ridiculous ticket.

As for driving on my cell phone, I do it usually when I'm driving home from work.  I use a headset, though.  I agree that most people are relatively unsafe while driving if on their cell phones though. 

[Harry Tuttle]

If I'm not wearing my headset I don't answer. EVAR. You can always pull over and call back the number from your screen.

The police state is their religion and they see themselves on a holy mission to save us ignorant masses from ourselves.They think that without Officer Braveheart on the job we would all be dead now. That's the thin blue line between civilization and chaos. Once you violate the least of the edicts you are a lesser soul who must be guided to righteousness.

[Dylboz]

I've drivin since I was 16 in america and japan.

So, do you constantly hit the wipers when you mean to use your turn signal?