OT: Pulling a Trailer, Be careful or it will cost you. Options

[Allan]

Here is the scenario: I borrow Scott Klines trailer to bring my car home last month. Everything works out great. The following week I take it back to him. On the way there I am begining to start my merge left as the 60 and the I-5 split is getting pretty close, maybe 3-5 miles away (remember this is L.A. traffic so you need to start planning alot sooner). I'm doing exactly 50 mph. CHP pulls me over. I'm nice (really didn't know why he stopped me). I ask, "Is there a problem?". He says, "I stopped you because you are pulling a trailer in the number 2 lane". I say "Oh. I didn't know it was illegal". He asks for the usual paperwork and walks back to his car. I sit and wait for almost 10 minutes while he does all of his "Wants & Warrants" checks. I'm thinking everything is in order so he'll give me a warning and I'll be on my way. Comes back with ticket book in hand and tells me he's going to cite me, "FUCH!!!. I remain polite and sign the ticket. Guess what came in the mail yesterday?????









EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVEN MOTHER FUCHIN DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This I will fight.

[GaroldShaffer]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif) WTF that is crazy.

Good luck

[bd1308]

damn dude.... I would fight it too.

[RON S.]

QUOTE (Headrage @ Jul 6 2005, 08:58 AM)

EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVEN MOTHER FUCHIN DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This I will fight.

Try not to be so mad.

Maybe you can consider it your donation to California's budget deficit bailout fund (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)

Or, I'll bet that some school administrator over there will now be getting a much deserved raise. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)

Ron

[Rotary'14]

Good luck fighting it. If you lose, I bet the judge would be reasonable and reduce the fine if you ask,,, un-fuching-believe-able (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/mad.gif)

Sorry to hear about your ticket.

[914werke]

So whats the actual statute? I ask cuz Im gonna be haulin one down to cali in the next couple of days? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/huh.gif)

[MetricMayhem]

Whoa! Did you merge into the fast lane or just not the slow lane? My understanding was that no trailers were allowed in the fast lane, not that they were relegated to the slow lane. Otherwise how would truckers pass each other?

Sorry, I'm not picturing the interchange, only been there a few times.

Fight it, might even be worth a lawyer.

[Jake Raby]

HOLY SHIT!

I am so damn glad I got the hell out of that state when I did!

Damn, I forgot to buy a tag for my trailer for two years because I seldom use it and had cops ride along behind me and never even pull me over... Then one day I get popped and the cop walks up and says "did you know your tag is 2 years out of date" I replied that I did know it but really needed to use the trailer and I'd get it taken care of Monday morning- sir...

He gave me a verbal warning and sent me on my way.....

[Mueller]

how are going to fight it??

not to be an @ss, but you cannot blame "ignorance" of the law....you might have a good chance if you take it to court and mention that you had to get over to make your connecting on-ramp....I'd go back to the location and take pictures or find a map that shows the freeway and approx spot you got pulled over.....impress the judge with information and facts


I got a warning about being in the fast lane once, of course traffic was only going 5mph and I told him I moved over for the merging traffic.

[Allan]

QUOTE (Mueller @ Jul 6 2005, 11:20 AM)

how are going to fight it??

I'm going to use the facts. I've never beat a ticket with the "I didn't know" excuse. I was trying to merge over to get to the far left where I would need to be when the freeway splits. Much safer to plan and implement early in L.A. traffic to avoid those last minute maneuvers. They cause accidents. Simple.

[morph]

in my 20s i got a ticket for everything you could get ticket for.but i never got fined 800.00!!! even when i was doing 98 in a 55,fight that one.
james

[Rand]

I plead not guilty for a speeding ticket once, showed up for court, the cop didn't show, the judge called his name a second time then said "dismissed" and hit the gavel. A friend of mine had done the same thing with the same results.

This was in OR - don't know how it would work in CA. But I would hope you could at least get it reduced. Let us know how it goes.

[MattR]

QUOTE (Headrage @ Jul 6 2005, 10:33 AM)

QUOTE (Mueller @ Jul 6 2005, 11:20 AM) how are going to fight it?? I'm going to use the facts. I've never beat a ticket with the "I didn't know" excuse. I was trying to merge over to get to the far left where I would need to be when the freeway splits. Much safer to plan and implement early in L.A. traffic to avoid those last minute maneuvers. They cause accidents. Simple.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/agree.gif)

I cant believe he would site you with a split coming up. That plain sucks. Good luck allan. If they found Jacko innocent, they'll surely throw out your ticket.

[Mueller]

QUOTE (MattR @ Jul 6 2005, 11:40 AM)

QUOTE (Headrage @ Jul 6 2005, 10:33 AM) QUOTE (Mueller @ Jul 6 2005, 11:20 AM) how are going to fight it?? I'm going to use the facts. I've never beat a ticket with the "I didn't know" excuse. I was trying to merge over to get to the far left where I would need to be when the freeway splits. Much safer to plan and implement early in L.A. traffic to avoid those last minute maneuvers. They cause accidents. Simple. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/agree.gif) I cant believe he would site you with a split coming up. That plain sucks. Good luck allan. If they found Jacko innocent, they'll surely throw out your ticket.

this is why he got the ticket:

QUOTE

say "Oh. I didn't know it was illegal".

did you know that now in CA if it raining and you have your windshield wipers on, your headlights "must" be on as well????....even in the day time.....

I do agree that the fine is way too steep for such a ticket....I figure it would be a few hundred bucks at the most......

[larryp]

I assume you would have mentioned the possibility of jail time if it was possible so this is for an infraction (fine only), not a misdemeanor (fine and/or confinement).

What is the citation for the infraction on your notice?

BTW, not knowing the geography,

QUOTE

On the way there I am begining to start my merge left as the 60 and the I-5 split is getting pretty close, maybe 3-5 miles away (remember this is L.A. traffic so you need to start planning alot sooner).

is a good defense. You need to work that out with the prosecutor ahead of time though.

[Joe Bob]

O U C H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's my old trailer....looks like I'm getting it back cause it's too small for the Shaloom...fits Frank and Manfred though....

[john rogers]

Try this as part of the defense. Note the wording at the bottom.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21655.htm

[Elliot_Cannon]

This sucks Allan. You need to fight this one. Do a lot of homework. Look up the law. Draw some diagrams of the freeway lanes, showing exactly where you were and what your intentions were at the time. You need to stress that you thought you were doing the SAFEST thing. Be sure and bring up your spotless driving record. (It is isn't it)? If it isn't then don't bring it up. Do as much preparation as possible. (Judges love that). Good luck.
Cheers, Elliot

[URY914]

I drove my trailer with an expired tag for 8 years!

I finally got stopped and he told me to get it taken car of. No ticket. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

Paul

[Joe Bob]

Bitch all ya want about CA...but they did start assigning trailers with PTIs...permanent trailer IDs...they are gud fer 5-10 years if I recall.