Because of the congestion in traffic court and the length of time it takes
to get a traffic court date when you want to plead not guilty and fight
your ticket, you could get another ticket before you resolve the first.
What can you do about back-to-back tickets?
Say you get a red-light traffic ticket and a speeding over 100 mph ticket. The fine for both tickets could very well reach $3000 if you’re convicted and the increase in your insurance premium will likely be more than you can afford. However, another kick in the pants if convicted of both is that the red-light ticket will be assessed one point and the 100+ mph speeding ticket will be assessed two Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) points. That means that in addition to the automatic 30-day driver’s license (DL) suspension that can be imposed for being convicted of speeding 100+ mph, you will only be one point away from meeting the DMV limit of four NOTS points within a one-year period. You should consult a traffic ticket attorney before you decide on a course of action.
Red-Light Traffic Ticket
The CA Vehicle Code (CVC) 21453, Traffic Signs and Signals, states, “A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line…” and after that stop, you can turn right or to the left onto a one-way street after checking for traffic and pedestrians in the crosswalk.
This is one of the most frequently issued tickets in CA and nationwide. Failure to fully stop behind the limit line is a violation of the CVC and if you are convicted of that violation you can be fined $100, plus county and state surcharges, fees, and assessments, which will bring the total to nearly $500.
It is legal to proceed through the intersection while the light is still yellow if you cross the limit line while the light is still yellow and depending on the law enforcement officer’s (LEO) vantage point, it may not have been possible for them to make the right call.
Additionally, many red-light traffic tickets are issued because of an enforcement camera. Many people will just pay the fine after seeing the photo and video, but that may not be the correct course of action, as many are flawed and some municipalities and even some judges will not honor them. Particularly if a LEO did not view the photos and video, which they must do to make it enforceable. Always consult a traffic ticket attorney prior to pleading guilty and paying a fine.
The 2nd of Back-to-Back Tickets, Speeding 100+ MPH
Speeding more than 100 mph, CVC 22348 is unlike any other speeding ticket in that the judge has the discretion of suspending your DL on-the-spot for a 30-day period. In addition to the $900 to $2600 in fines (many judges add $100 for each mph over 100), the two NOTS points that will stay on your driving record for seven years, and increased insurance; which, if you can find an insurance company after your current contract runs out, will likely be 50-75% more than what you are currently paying.
If you are convicted in Lamont, Shafter, Bakersfield, or most traffic courts in Central Valley counties, such as Kern and Kings the judge will likely tell you to surrender your DL to the bailiff because you won’t need it for 30 days. Then, once the 30 days is over you will need to do the paperwork and pay the fee to have it reinstated.
However, those traffic courts are also where Bigger & Harman practice traffic ticket defense law and although there are no guarantees, you stand a much better chance of getting your ticket dismissed or reduced with them than by representing yourself. Traffic court is unlike any other court, due to the congestion most defendants get just two minutes to state their case. Therefore, without legal representation, most defendants have lost before they even get a chance to tell the judge what happened. That’s where it is beneficial for you to hire a Central Valley attorney when you have back-to-back tickets.
Call a Central Valley Attorney
Call Bigger & Harman when you have back-to-back tickets and need the advice and counsel of a true traffic ticket lawyer. Send them an email with the details of your situation and they will respond promptly, attorney@markbigger.com.
Bigger & Harman will help you to resolve traffic tickets in Central Valley and Southern CA traffic courts. They serve clients in Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Kern, San Bernardino, and others. Bigger & Harman has a reputation as a tough traffic ticket defense team in Central Valley and in some SoCal courtroom. For a confidential and convenient appointment set up, use their website contact form. See what your neighbors and friends are saying about the Bigger & Harman defense team on Yelp.
Se habla Español 661.349.9755.