bzliteyear

have any of you guys ever been ticketed for talking on cell phone?
i just got one, and i thought the first offense for only $25? WRONG!

the question is whether it's worth fighting or not. i was actually trying to use my handsfree on the visor, but the battery ran out and i had just gotten off the freeway to turn off the phone. nonetheless, the officer didn't care.
is this worth trying to plead "not guilty" and see if the officer shows up or not?
i've confirmed that it's not a moving violation, but wondering if i should try to get off on this one and save it for the "future" - just in case i ever get another tix?

p.s. i've not gotten a moving violation in about 23 yrs, so i'm just trying to keep that track record alive.

Patrick

Quadcammer

You did the crime, deal with the fine.

You can argue it, but there isn't much to plea down to since its not a moving offense and has no points attached.

I consider the opportunity cost of going to court and engaging in that rigamorole, so I'd say for $142, just pay the ticket.

C43AMG

The sad part is no state wants to eliminate talking on the phone.The average fine is no more than the average monthly cellphone bill.Instead the states treat these violations as revenue.If they wanted to eliminate this social nuisance they would make the fine $500.00 1st offense , $1000.00 2nd offense which each counting as a moving offense (as long as the key is in the ignition)subject to insurance surcharges.

LAWYER2

i fight every ticket I get, guilty or not. Usually ending in reduced fines, points waived, or dismissed (due to officer not showing up). Depends on if your time is worth more than the fine really.

Corsa9000

There was a case recently in which a man was driving and holding his phone in his hand, not talking, just holding it. Got a ticket, went to court and showed his phone bill stating that the bill shows no incoming or outgoing call around the time of the citation. Judge says how do I know you did not have your wife's phone with you at the time. Guilty.

Sadly, you will most likely lose your case. Government entities are desperate for more revenue these days.

S500_Lorinser

Arnold's wife was just photographed on the phone here in California....he pushed the law hard. I agree with C43AMG that the small fines are silly and not preventing anything. At $25 a pop I will just give the officer a benjamin for the next few times..haha

bzliteyear

the court clerk on the phone was adamant about the media being wrong and the $25. it's $142, but no moving violation.
Patrick

djomlas

call in a few days before the courtdate and reschedule...
then do it again 2 or 3 more times, and by the time u get there the officer probably wont be there...

works great here in IL..i do it all the time, and u can get away with a lot actually, which is sad.

i was in court yesterday for tints and no front plate on m3...they didnt even ask me for proof, or pictures, just said go.
wasting our time man, and what pisses me off is that i had to take a day off for this 5 second ordeal

Corsa9000

Many people are trying the several postponement strategy and some courts do not allow them now. Police officers actually have 1-2 days a week alloted to attend court dates. It's all revenue for the city and they need badly.

45acp

I got one not too long ago here in NY (by the Nautical Mile in Freeport, Long Island), it was $180 total! But what hurt was the fact that it was only $80, but with a $100 surcharge!! WTF??? I was stuck in traffic and answered the phone for two seconds to say I was going to be late. The officer said I looked right at him when I was "yapping" on the phone. He was in a new Tahoe and I didn't even see him otherwise I would have just dropped the phone from my ear and made like I was scratching my head...

patrick_y

While I'm very sorry that you received a ticket for a very small crime, I still find this post to be somewhat absurd.

The law about banning cell-phone usage while driving is not something new in California (assuming that SF means California).

What's your excuse... What's there to talk about online on a forum? You did something that's banned, shouldn't it go on your flawless track-record? At least there aren't any points assigned.

Oh, by the way, the media says its $25 over a year ago. Furthermore, $25 is the base fine; you have to add court fees etc which usually more than triples the cost of the base fine. For instance, the fine for driving in the HOV lane with one person is around $300. However, the total fine after court fees and other multipliers make it around $1000.