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

[inane]

I got a ticket awhile ago for having a crack in my windshield. The cop actually had the nerve to tell me that its dangerous to have a crack in a windshield. Its a correctable ticket so i figured why fight it and end up paying anyways when i can just get the windshield fixed and the government dont get jack shit (except for sales tax). So i go to the courthouse two days later (the deadline to get the windshield fixed) and wait in line for about half an hour and hand the cop behind the window my ticket. "Did you get it fixed?" she asked. "Yeah, the car is parked right around the corner" i tell her. She thinks for a second and then stamps the ticket. I got a little pissed. I had to leave work early to get this shit done. It was extremely hard to keep myself from grabbing this bitch by the hair and dragging her out to my car and smashing her head into my windshield. All this shit and they don't even bother checking your car before approving the correction.
Anyhow, i ask her "so i can just go over to the courthouse and get this taken care of?" "No, they wont have your ticket yet. You need to wait a few weeks." So that was it for awhile. Two or so weeks later i got a ticket for talking on a cell phone.
So a few days ago i go to get that fix it ticket taken car of. I go up to the window and hand the lady my ticket. She asks for proof of insurance and $50. "$50 dollars?" I ask. "Its a correctable ticket." I pointed to the stamp. "Yes but its a $50 dollar processing fee." I didn't have my insurance on me. I had just gotten a new insurance card and had forgotten to put it in my wallet. So i leave and have to got back the next morning (the deadline was the next morning). So i leave work for about an hour to get this taken car of. I get up to the window and hand the lady my proof of insurance and my ticket. "oh, this is the wrong one. We need the one from when you got the ticket." "But the officer check it then. Why would I need to show you again?" "Sir, you need to bring your proof of insurance from the time the ticket was issued."
All i could do was laugh at her. She was kind enough to give me an extension.
They are actually trying to give tickets for people driving without proof of insurance 3 months ago.  

[N0Lif3]

Update

So I went down to the court house yet again. I had $20 in my pocket and was ready to just pay the fine.

They want me to pay $127 now. Appalled yet again, I ask why it's $127. She tells me that's the fine for driving while using a cellphone.

I retorted by telling her I read the fine was only $20 for first offense. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/

She told me that there are no $20 fines, that there are various fees tacked on. I replied saying "such as?"

I can't remember them all, but she said that there is an infraction fee, a service fee, and a couple of other fees which sum up to $127.

I had enough of this, I asked to go to court. I'm scheduled to go to court on July 17th, at 10:30am. Hopefully, my charges get dropped. Worst case scenario, I'm going to jail. As it is now, I'm steadfast in my decision that I will not pay.

[Bill Brasky]

Theres a total on the bottom of the ticket.  It adds up like a car repair bill. 

I can guarantee you the cop totaled it up, because you can just write a check and mail the whole thing in, and be done with it - as has been explained.  Which is what they want you to do. 

Also, the courthouse is not open the hours as advertised.  It'll be open roughly a half hour after the opening time, then they'll break around ten, then they'll go to lunch around 11:30, be back around 12:45, afternoon break around 2, and leave at 3:45-4:00ish

You have a five minute window of opportunity in the morning, and one in the mid-afternoon. 

Just pay the fuckin' ticket by mail, you're not gonna get off it. 

[N0Lif3]

Theres a total on the bottom of the ticket.  It adds up like a car repair bill. 

I can guarantee you the cop totaled it up, because you can just write a check and mail the whole thing in, and be done with it - as has been explained.  Which is what they want you to do. 

Also, the courthouse is not open the hours as advertised.  It'll be open roughly a half hour after the opening time, then they'll break around ten, then they'll go to lunch around 11:30, be back around 12:45, afternoon break around 2, and leave at 3:45-4:00ish

You have a five minute window of opportunity in the morning, and one in the mid-afternoon. 

Just pay the fuckin' ticket by mail, you're not gonna get off it. 

The cop did not total it up. There is no fine amount on my ticket.

[Jetfire]

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?

no but it took me a little bit of driving to get used to it again when i came back

[Bill Brasky]

Theres a total on the bottom of the ticket.  It adds up like a car repair bill. 

I can guarantee you the cop totaled it up, because you can just write a check and mail the whole thing in, and be done with it - as has been explained.  Which is what they want you to do. 

Also, the courthouse is not open the hours as advertised.  It'll be open roughly a half hour after the opening time, then they'll break around ten, then they'll go to lunch around 11:30, be back around 12:45, afternoon break around 2, and leave at 3:45-4:00ish

You have a five minute window of opportunity in the morning, and one in the mid-afternoon. 

Just pay the fuckin' ticket by mail, you're not gonna get off it. 

The cop did not total it up. There is no fine amount on my ticket.

Unlikely, but if you insist. 

[miamiballoonguy]

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?

Next time u get pulled over, deny, deny, deny!  Or better yet, don't answer the question.  Plead the 5th.  Never cooperate with them, Either.  Make everything as hard as possible for him, and have fun doing it.  You are going to get the ticket anyways, so why not make his life miserable.  Also, don't forget to carry a video camera.  You never know when the pig is going to beat you.

[The Muslim Agorist]

I'm in California and I got one of these tickets and was told that although the ticket says I have a month to pay, the officer has up to a year to file the citation. When the officer gets around to filing the ticket a "courtesy notice" will be sent with my new deadline.

I dealt with it by writing them letters asking various constitutional questions, or whatever other kinds of asinine questions I could think of. Just to waist their time. With each letter they gave me an extension, and it was 6 months before I ended up paying anything.

There should be a phone number and a website address on the ticket where you can check the status of the citation, or even pay it online, but it sounds like you're beyond that.

I'm in California also. If you're close enough to me, and you want some moral support, or a partner of some kind it whatever kind of activism you're interested in maybe I can make it to your trial.

[Sam Gunn (since nobody got Admiral Naismith)]

Theres a total on the bottom of the ticket.  It adds up like a car repair bill. 

I can guarantee you the cop totaled it up, because you can just write a check and mail the whole thing in, and be done with it - as has been explained.  Which is what they want you to do. 

Also, the courthouse is not open the hours as advertised.  It'll be open roughly a half hour after the opening time, then they'll break around ten, then they'll go to lunch around 11:30, be back around 12:45, afternoon break around 2, and leave at 3:45-4:00ish

You have a five minute window of opportunity in the morning, and one in the mid-afternoon. 

Just pay the fuckin' ticket by mail, you're not gonna get off it. 

Not in California.  Here they might send you that in the mail, but otherwise you have to go to court to find out the price.

[N0Lif3]

I'm in California and I got one of these tickets and was told that although the ticket says I have a month to pay, the officer has up to a year to file the citation. When the officer gets around to filing the ticket a "courtesy notice" will be sent with my new deadline.

I dealt with it by writing them letters asking various constitutional questions, or whatever other kinds of asinine questions I could think of. Just to waist their time. With each letter they gave me an extension, and it was 6 months before I ended up paying anything.

There should be a phone number and a website address on the ticket where you can check the status of the citation, or even pay it online, but it sounds like you're beyond that.

I'm in California also. If you're close enough to me, and you want some moral support, or a partner of some kind it whatever kind of activism you're interested in maybe I can make it to your trial.

I'm in Stockton. Any support is appreciated.

I really am considering making the move to New Hampshire.  I just like how that state is so much more free than California.

[Jetfire]

You live in stockton? This place sucks man just get out while you can. I'm surprised there is someone else here who likes freedom.

[Sam Gunn (since nobody got Admiral Naismith)]

Or just learn to live with the shit CA government and come to San Diego and at least enjoy your tyranny! 

[Jetfire]

yea if you can afford san diego

[Sam Gunn (since nobody got Admiral Naismith)]

Its cheaper than LA.

[Jetfire]

yea and stockton is alot cheaper plus neither place has any more freedoms