So, I got a ticket for making a illegal left turn...

[emperor_black]

for $370 !!!!!!!

isn't that a little excessive? The last ticket i got in california was in 2003 for $133 while doing 80 on a 65 zone. Add $33 to traffic court and I was able to get rid of the point. Now, with traffic court, its $409!

There's a bunch of construction going on near my house for the past year or so and they had blocked the left turn with big concrete blocks. One fine day, they removed the blocks and people started making left turns and getting tickets. One cop was giving a ticket already and another just finished ticketing one when I made the turn and was asked to pull over.

I am planning to contest the ticket. I figured what have i got to lose? :think: Can I still take the class if I contest?

[RacerX]

I'd say your best bet is obtain a pic of the blocked sign. (Yes, all you RIF people: I read that the blocks have been removed).

What's the intersection, e_b?

[emperor_black]

yeah, tomorrow, i'll swing by and take a picture. Do you think it'd matter if i got the ticket last month and I take the picture tomorrow? The intersection is Tully Rd and Zachary way in San Jose.

[RacerX]

yeah, tomorrow, i'll swing by and take a picture. Do you think it'd matter if i got the ticket last month and I take the picture tomorrow?

No, obtain a pic of the blocked sign. As in, a pic from the past.

[RacerX]

OK I Street Viewed it. Was the bright orange RIGHT TURN ONLY sign still up?

http://g.co/maps/7z3qt

[Rich#6]

I thought it's only speeding in a construction zone that gets you a ticket that high but guess not. Construction zone tickets are really high because of all the dead workers.
BUT it sound like you got caught in a ticket scam to me.

[emperor_black]

Ron, I checked google street view last night as well. those google views are over a year old. After all the construction work, now it looks nowhere close to what it looked a year before.

[RacerX]

So that RIGHT TURN ONLY sign was gone when you got ticketed?

Get down there and take pics of the intersection then, and show up in court. From what I've heard, if you show up prepared, and with pictures, there's a good chance it'll get tossed.

[emperor_black]

ok, I took several pics today. The signs are clearly out of view. One's hiding behind big concrete blocks on the right and the one on the left is sitting on the ground propped up against a light pole. The RIGHT TURN ONLY sign is gone. But my left turn was from Tully into Zachary and not from Zachary to Tully.

So, I read my ticket carefully and its indeed cited for the turn in a construction zone. but there were no workers present and those concrete blocks have been there forever. Is that still a valid case to call it a construction zone IYO?

[tcwil8]

In my experience, people who show up to contest the ticket with some evidence (like photos) and have a reasonable argument have the best luck in getting it thrown out. Even if they don't, there's a very good chance that they will reduce the amount of the fine. Several years ago, I contested a red light violation in Fremont, CA and the ticket went from approximately $200 down to $45. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[emperor_black]

cool. Thanks for the first hand experience Bro. I'll be sure to let you guys know how it turns out. I don't mind paying for my mistake especially when the state desperately needs money, but this is way too much!

[Twitch]

In my experience, people who show up to contest the ticket with some evidence (like photos) and have a reasonable argument have the best luck in getting it thrown out. Even if they don't, there's a very good chance that they will reduce the amount of the fine. Several years ago, I contested a red light violation in Fremont, CA and the ticket went from approximately $200 down to $45. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Had a speeding ticket do that. Was originally $180, $220 if I wanted to pay it before court and not get a point with their little pink card. I went to court over it and it went down to $110 out the door. I didnt give a shit about the point.

[Musician78]

Don't let anyone tell you that if the cop doesn't show up you automatically win. I fought one about 10 years ago and that was what everyone was telling me. I got to court and the cop didn't show up. The case was given to some sort of general prosecutor woman...

[RacerX]

Don't let anyone tell you that if the cop doesn't show up you automatically win. I fought one about 10 years ago and that was what everyone was telling me. I got to court and the cop didn't show up. The case was given to some sort of general prosecutor woman...

Well, the laws vary depending on the state. I know in California, if the cop don't show it's an automatic dismissal. Most cops will make an effort to show, though, because of the pay.

[emperor_black]

A little update. I found out about something called 'Trial by written declaration' wherein you can submit a form with pictures/proof and fight your case without making a court appearance. The reason its better than trial in the court, the traffic cop does not get the $200 - $300 for making the court appearance. They get to write a counter argument and then a judge decides the case. Also, filling up a form is lot less nerve-racking than speaking in the court in front of a judge and all that.

So, I submitted my form with pictures, diagrams, etc. today and the court clerk said that everything has been accepted and that I'll receive the decision in mail within 4 to 6 weeks. But she did not give me any sort of acknowledgement of receiving the forms/documents. She even took the proof that i posted the bail amount. Now I'm worried!