Should I go to court for a carpool ticket?

Question

I got a carpool lane ticket near disneyland when we were going to blizzcon. I do not know the area and was paying attention to the signs. However after 2 attempts to exit the lane and couldnt because of a driver (not sure if it was the cellphone or him just not seeing me) i exited very near the exit so i didnt miss the offramp. it was early in the morning and there was traffic. i had another person in the car with me and was going the speed limit. This cop mustve known this kinda stuff happens because he was sitting right there. I dont think what i did was wrong, and if it was isnt this kinda baiting when a police officer knows that its a horrible position for an exit & sits and waits. im just confused thats all.

should i go to court and explain?

Answer 1

It wouldn't hurt to go to court over it, unless you will get in trouble for missing work to go to the court hearing.   At least you could say that you tried.  I got a ticket that I didn't think was fair, but I thought there would be no use in trying to fight it since the cop would probably have the upper hand, so I didn't fight it.  Now I wish I would have at least tried because my auto insurance is higher now because of the ticket. Someone also told me that if you go to court and the cop doesn't show, then your ticket is dropped.

I would say it would be worth a try!

Answer 2

I WOULD TRY, WHAT CAN IT HURT.

Answer 3

did you cross over the two double yellow lines?

you cant do that, a lot of people get citied for that

you have to wait untill the lines are dashed, worst casee

if you missed your exit, you could have easy got to the next exit and double back..

Answer 4

dont have a mitigation hearing, contest the ticket. request that the officer attends the hearing. when you get to court remind the judge you are there to contest. if the officer fails to appear (which he will most likely not come) your ticket will be fully dismissed. however, if he does show up you should have your case ready to present. the one thing im confused on is why you got a ticket for being in the carpool lane if you had 2 people in the car.    disclaimer----i live in washington and this is the procedure told to me by my cousin who is a washington state trooper, laws vary from state to state but i think contesting it will work for you

Answer 5

well, sure. if you want to waste your time.

did you go back to see if there were signs in the carpool lane stating which exits were where? they're posted at every entrance and exit to the lane. of COURSE the police officer sits there and waits, its a spot where inattentive motorists usually mess up and cause accidents. If you had seen the cop before hand, would you have still completed your action knowing it was against the law? Its YOUR responsibility. accept it or do what everyone else does and put it off on someone else

Answer 6

Yeah I know that area, it's a bit confusing.  I'm not exactly sure what the ticket was for.  If it was for an improper exit/entry to the carpool lane, then I guess there's no harm going to court and explaining to the judge what happened.  But traffic judges in Orange County usually follow the letter of the law, so if you did something that's against the rules as they are written, then the odds are against you.

Answer 7

Give it a try. Sometimes you get a Judge that actually WANT's to understand the situation, and will give you a break if you are convincing.

Others are very bored and really aren't interested in your story, and just tell you to get lost.

I've been to traffic court MANY times back in the days when I was a wild and crazy driver. NOW, I drive safely, don't follow too close, and show courtesy to others, whether they deserve it or not. (well, most of the time)

Answer 8

No harm in going to court and explaining the situation to a judge. At worst your asked to pay the full amount fo the ticket which you would be required to do anyway. Though the judge may dismiss the ticket or possibly reduce the fine.

Good luck

Answer 9

Im up in Sacramento where the carpool lane is 2 people but down south I believe almost all of theirs require 3 people so you may be in a bit of an issue there. However, I do agree you should go fight it. Explain what you said, that your intention wasnt to avoid traffic but rather reading the signs around Disneyland.