Q: I was given a citizens arrest ticket in Lake Tohoe, California this past weekend. Highway 50 through the mountains is
A two lane road with very few passing lanes to pass slower traffic. The guy in front of me refused to pass the cars to the right while in the left lane. I flashed my brights at him and he reported me for wreckless driving. This was 30 miles from Lake Tahoe. I was pulled over upon entering Tahoe and given a ticket. The cop said he didn’t see anything, but the guy filed a citizen’s arrest on me so he had to right me a ticket. Now I have to go to court to fight this stupid citation. The cop said all I have to say is that I didn’t do whatever it is this guy is saying I did and the judge will have to throw it out. I don’t want to go to court just to do that. What a waste of time. What are my options? Thanks, Scott
A:
I'm confused by the citizens arrest mention in your title. From the body of your question, it sounds like you got a ticket and have a hearing date. Your options are to not contest the citation and pay the ticket, show up yourself and argue the merits of the infraction, or retain an attorney to do it for you. If you show up yourself, you may want to ask for a continuance if you need one to find a lawyer.
Under no circumstances do you want to do nothing. If you don't pay the citation, and you fail to appear at the hearing, your ticket is going to get very expensive, very quickly.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
