22450 vc

[Griffindor]

too late to stop on that STOP SIGN. We were coming down Rose Dr. from E. Second St. in Benicia/Vallejo, and didn't see the Stop Sign. Of course, there was a CHP on a motorcycle on the next corner & pulled me over & wrote me this ticket.

Speed Approx. = 15 mph

We all stopped at all the previous Stop Signs on this road before I missed this one. We were about to go on our separate ways and decided to let them know that I was going home by that famous wave of the left hand, see you next time. We were probably doing less than 15mph, but by the time when I decided to do the wave thing, there it was, I just noticed that I missed the Stop Sign when I saw that painted white word "S T O P" on the asphalt. I even acknowledge it by pointing to that sign on the asphalt...I couldn't stop, too late...but still was doing about 12-15mph...

My fault, no Question about that....just looked at the Solano County uniform Bail Schedule & I can't seem to figure out all the other fees that comes with the main fee. Is it right $136.00....? Can someone tell me how much I'm looking to shell out for this ticket, please...What are my options here, if there are any. I have no other points on my record, I think...bec. it's been like 6-8 yrs. since i last got a ticket...

------stressed out-------

 

[Flying Pig]

If no points and you want to keep it that way, traffic school should be an option for you (unless you have a commercial driving license).
Only other way to avoid the point is to hope the officer doesn't show in court if you decide to fight it, or to beat their defense (which won't work in this case).

 

[Griffindor]

If no points and you want to keep it that way, traffic school should be an option for you (unless you have a commercial driving license).
Only other way to avoid the point is to hope the officer doesn't show in court if you decide to fight it, or to beat their defense (which won't work in this case).

first, thanks! i guess I'm not going to fight my case. But i just want to see if there's a way to lower whatever the dollar amount is...for this infraction...I really can't believe that the Officer still wrote me that ticket..

 

[Flying Pig]

Lowering the dollar amount involves asking for a reduction in front of the judge and you'd have to explain why you need the reduction (fine is too expensive isn't a valid reason). You can also ask for community service where you'd work off your debt, but time is money, and I'm not sure of your financial situation.

And with the above options, you still get the point.

Only way to keep the point away is to take (and complete in the allotted time) traffic school. Unfortunately, to take traffic school, you generally have to pay the full fine amount, pay the additional fine to take traffic school, and pay the traffic school you go with their fee.

I know that the commissioner in Santa Cruz won't let people double dip, so she doesn't grant reductions and traffic school. The fine in Santa Cruz to take traffic school is an additional $49 (iirc), so use that as a starting point to gauge how much to put aside. On the flip side, online traffic school was less than $20, so not too bad on the wallet there. Just takes.. time.

 

[bojangle]

first, thanks! i guess I'm not going to fight my case. But i just want to see if there's a way to lower whatever the dollar amount is...for this infraction...I really can't believe that the Officer still wrote me that ticket..

I'm not a big traffic ticket guy and really don't write that many tickets. However, I almost always write a stop sign like you described. I have no doubt that it was a mistake and you didn't intend to run it, but the inattention resulted in a very dangerous situation that could have ended very badly.

 

[Griffindor]

I'm not a big traffic ticket guy and really don't write that many tickets. However, I almost always write a stop sign like you described. I have no doubt that it was a mistake and you didn't intend to run it, but the inattention resulted in a very dangerous situation that could have ended very badly.

You're right, it could have been worst, at least that's the only thing I can say to myself & wify...
What we're really stressing about is the "not knowing how much that ticket is going to cost us"....You know people have the easy habit of telling someone "Oh, it's going to cost you $$$" "Oh, it's going to be alot of money" & all their comments really doesn't help but make it more stressful for us...They know what our financial situation is, not good at all, but they still say what they want to say....nice friends I've got:thumbdown

Thanks man.

 

[Griffindor]

Lowering the dollar amount involves asking for a reduction in front of the judge and you'd have to explain why you need the reduction (fine is too expensive isn't a valid reason). You can also ask for community service where you'd work off your debt, but time is money, and I'm not sure of your financial situation.

And with the above options, you still get the point.

Only way to keep the point away is to take (and complete in the allotted time) traffic school. Unfortunately, to take traffic school, you generally have to pay the full fine amount, pay the additional fine to take traffic school, and pay the traffic school you go with their fee.

I know that the commissioner in Santa Cruz won't let people double dip, so she doesn't grant reductions and traffic school. The fine in Santa Cruz to take traffic school is an additional $49 (iirc), so use that as a starting point to gauge how much to put aside. On the flip side, online traffic school was less than $20, so not too bad on the wallet there. Just takes.. time.

I guess I can try to ask for a reduction...Traffic school will only add more $$$ to the cost of everything. The 1 point on my record, which is my only 1 pt., I can keep for a few years.
How come it takes like until Sept. 21, 2011 for me to appear in court, isn't it that I'm going to get something in the mail?
Thanks again for your time in replying here....

 

[Slow600rr]

In Marin its 159. Could be more or less in Solano, but should be in the same general area. And take traffic school. The insurance increase over 3 years will be far more then the $50 to take traffic school.

 

[masameet]

The 2011 bail schedule shows 22450(a) will cost you $154 bail, with an added $69 for admin fees. Dunno if Solano County tacks on more admin fees.

If you have a commercial driver license, then worry away. But if you have a Class C and M1, and complete traffic school and turn into the DMV the appropriate paperwork within the time frame given, then your 1 point will be masked and your insurance company will not see it nor have an excuse to increase your premium. It's only after you get another moving violation or have an at-fault accident within 18 or less months of your 1-pointer that you need to worry.

 

[Griffindor]

The 2011 bail schedule shows 22450(a) will cost you $154 bail, with an added $69 for admin fees. Dunno if Solano County tacks on more admin fees.

If you have a commercial driver license, then worry away. But if you have a Class C and M1, and complete traffic school and turn into the DMV the appropriate paperwork within the time frame given, then your 1 point will be masked and your insurance company will not see it nor have an excuse to increase your premium. It's only after you get another moving violation or have an at-fault accident within 18 or less months of your 1-pointer that you need to worry.

thanks, i don't have a commercial license. It seems that completing the Traffic School has it's benefits in the long run and must be completed in a certain time frame..but I can't just go now & do it, I have to wait for the paperwork from the County, right?

 

[masameet]

From the Solano County Superior Court website on courtesy notices:

... If you are cited for a traffic violation, the court will mail you a "courtesy" notice at the address listed on the citation. You should receive this notice approximately three to four weeks after you received the citation. There are payment options to help avoid the inconvenience and time associated with coming to the courthouse. There may be an additional fee required for extended payment options. If you do not receive your courtesy notice or do not understand your options, you may come in person to the courthouse or inquire by mail prior to your appearance date. If your appearance in court is required, your courtesy notice will indicate "Yes" next to the words "Mandatory Appearance".

Most questions will be answered with information provided by a courtesy notice. Please allow approximately three to four weeks from the date you received your citation for the court to process your citation and mail a courtesy notice. You are still required to respond to your citation whether or not you receive a courtesy notice.

Do not disregard your citation if you do not receive your courtesy notice in the mail. You must appear at the courthouse or settle your case by mail by the appearance date, whether or not you receive the courtesy notice.

 

[Burning1]

Hi Griffindor,

Although a lawyer might be able to beat a ticket like this, it's very unlikely you'd be able to win it yourself. Since you seem to accept the citation, I'd suggest the following:

1. Find out the walk in traffic court schedule for the county where the ticket was issued.

2. Schedule a little time off work and attend the court.

3. When called up to the stand, enter a plea of guilty with the explanation that you missed the stop sign. Request a reduction in fines, and/or traffic school. If money is tight, you could also arrange a payment plan.

Your first appearance at walk in court is not a trial, and by attending you are not necessarily contesting the citation. Your appearance allows you to enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, etc.) and make a request to the judge if would like. It's almost always worth attending for anything more complex than a fix-it ticket.

Between a reduction in fines and traffic school, I'd generally recommend taking traffic school, if it's available. You usually pay more in insurance premiums than you do fines; the insurance rate hike associated with a citation lasts 3 years, so even a $10/mo increase in your premium works out to $360 before the citation falls off your record.

 

[ebRider]

3. When called up to the stand, enter a plea of guilty with the explanation that you missed the stop sign. Request a reduction in fines, and/or traffic school. If money is tight, you could also arrange a payment plan.

regarding the payment plan, i was in traffic court recently(for not having a lightrail ticket ... dont do that its freakin expensive). Before the judge came in the room the officer giving instructions re-iterated at least 5 times that you can have traffic school OR a stay of payment(payment plan, or just delayed payment) but not both. May vary by county, this was santa clara.

 

[fattymcphatfat]

regarding the payment plan, i was in traffic court recently(for not having a lightrail ticket ... dont do that its freakin expensive). Before the judge came in the room the officer giving instructions re-iterated at least 5 times that you can have traffic school OR a stay of payment(payment plan, or just delayed payment) but not both. May vary by county, this was santa clara.

It varies by county. I used to work in Marin County as a Court Clerk. The judges over there are very reasonable and generally allow you to do all sorts of combos to pay the fines. It's been a few years since I've worked there. So just a warning things might be different now. But I remember this one guy asked for a payment plan to pay like 40 bucks. I think it was 10 bucks a month. And then he did the rest of his 39 bucks with community service at the church that he volunteers. He was quite the cheapskate considering he drove some sort of luxury car if I remember correctly.

 

[Griffindor]

got the Courtesy Notice in the mail...Total Bail $240.00...What?

What is this COEMAT (Emergency Medical Air Transport)?

They listed all the things that I was cited for my "Failure to Stop", but there was no amounts of charges for each of those, just the total of $240.00.

VC22450 - Stop Requirements
COCONV FEE - Conviction Assessment SB1407
PC1465.8A - Court Security Fee
COEMAT - Emergency Medical Air transport
COVCADM FEE - Vehicle Code Admin Fee

After looking at the Bail Schedule of Solano, I was expecting no more than $170.00....I think I'm being charge wrongly here with this COEMAT...What should i do here?

 

[LongGoneJohn]

You're being charged correctly. In this county it's $251 when all said and done. The "fees" on top of the bail amount have gotten outrageous, but they are what they are... A judge won't lower it either.

What to do? Pay the fine, pay another approx. $100 in traffic school + the fee to the county to attend traffic school and be on you're way. Think of all the times you've rolled a stop sign and never got caught.... you're still way ahead of the game.

 

[CPN]

After looking at the Bail Schedule of Solano, I was expecting no more than $170.00....I think I'm being charge wrongly here with this COEMAT...What should i do here?

You should not go through stop signs. :rofl
You're being charged properly.

 

[Griffindor]

Again, what's the COEMAT?