Q: A cop pulled me over for running a stop sign, but there is no stop sign at that intersection. Will the judge drop it?
I revisited the intersection on the ticket because I was 99.99% sure that I did not run any stop sign or even a stop sign, and indeed the intersection was a signal. The cop also wrote me up for no insurance (which I have, but he refused to look at my insurance card), for using my cellphone (even though I just looked down at my google maps for one second) and for having an expired driver’s license, despite California having instituted a grace period due to COVID-19. The officer did not let me speak at all and ignored me when I was trying to explain the driver’s license situation and show him my insurance card. He also, despite it being the law, was not wearing a mask. Do I have a case if I contest this in traffic court? Every violation was objectively wrong. Thank you in advance for your help.
A:
Your first appearance will be for an Arraignment, that is to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty or ask for traffic school. You can ask for a trial and return with your evidence to show that you are not guilty of the violations. I would suggest that you take large photos to show the judge about the absence of a stop sign. Some drivers licences can be renewed online, you should check if this is available to you. It may not be if the license has expired. If it expired before the CV lockdown, you will be in a difficult place to show you were not in violation. But usually if you have a good license at the time of the hearing the charge could be reduced to a fix it ticket with only a processing fee of $25.00. You should search the specific vehicle code violation you were charged with because one of the sections covers stop signs or signal controlled intersections. The fine is $100 plus penalty assessments, it is a mandatory minimum.
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