Hi, I am hoping someone can shed some light for me, either lawyer or someone that has been there. I received 2 tickets within a month (from different counties in CA), and both courts state that I am eligible for traffic school since it's been 2+ years since my last attendance. I am wondering if I attend traffic school for both tickets, would both of them registered as no points on my record? Or am I just wasting my time/money by going to the 2nd one? Appreciate any inputs or suggestions.
The real answer is: no. However, it depends on how linked each system is. You could certainly try to take two courses and file them in different counties, but the counties themselves and DPS could catch you on down the line with an integrated system. What you should do, if you do not want to risk it: ask for deferred adjudication for one of them and the DD for the other. d.a. will run ~ticket cost, maybe 200 tops + defensive driving course.
Normally, you can only attend traffic school once every 18 months. They obviously have not crossed referenced them as of yet is all. One way you can attend traffic school more than once is to plead financial hardship due to raise of insurance premium (if you drive for a living) then attend a 16 hour course, if the judge grants it. DL
That's what I was wondering because obviously they each searched my record to determine that I am eligible for traffic school. However, after I submit the proof of attendence, is there another verification process there to see if I attended recently before my attendence is registered into the system? I am sure I am not the only one, or the first time this scenario came up, just wondering if anyone out there has done it, or know what to do. appreciate the help.
I've gone through the trial by written declaration, but was found guilty. I don't think the judge even looked at my declaration. So, next step is to go to court in person, but the court is up in Kern county, at this point, I was thinking if it's possible to just take the cash hit and go to traffic school for both tickets. Ultimately, it's my record and the insuranace premium that I am saving.
How far apart are the counties? I'm unfamiliar with the counties out in CA to even take a stab at the integration of their systems from a hypothetical standpoint. However, if they have done their checks, which is far more than what you do in Texas (just a simple signing of an affidavit stating you haven't taken a class in 12 months), then I'd say... try to cheat the system. No, seriously! If they have done their homework, which is a system check, why not? In my earlier days of driving, back when I could count the number of traffic offenses, I ended up being caught overlapping defensive driving courses and deferred adjudication pleas. It took quite a while actually, but I was doing it quite frequently. Luckily, my dad was best friends with the judge... so I got off lightly in one county, and in another county 100 hours of community service. For a summer, I cleaned, washed, waxed, stripped and repainted everything on a firehouse. Actually, was fun work. And as a side note, I got to meet the guys that pryed away steel and pulled me out of a serious wreck.
google turned up a few answers to give you a better definition than I could muster. here's one: basically, it's a second chance at not getting a ticket and taking defensive driving. you pay a premium though. and you have to not get any tickets for 90-180 or even 360 days, whatever the judge feels right and necessary. just remember, the courts are a business when it comes to traffic offenses. they are out to create revenue. so, look up the county's website, if they have one, and see what they offer. most likely, they have deferred adjudication layed out for you there.
this guys specializes in traffic violations in CA and gives free advice... stan the radar man look him up in google.
Just my luck..., got another ticket yesterday walking across a red signal! Look out in Pasadena! CVC 21453(d), does anyone know if that's considered a moving violation? Is there a point penalty or just fine?
Yeah, walked across a tiny street in old pasadena, and just so happend there is a signal light and the cop sitting somehwere watching. Had a pleasant conversation with the cop, and after he realized that we (2 co workers of mine) are not criminals, he admitted to us that he REALL need to write some tickets as he just transferred into his unit. And this 3 in 1 sale is too good to pass up!!! Loser!
My suggestion would be to take online traffic school for one of them. You can check out which counties accept it on http://www.trafficschoolonline.com/?lcode=4013 Then I would do a Trial by Declaration on the other one. Your best chance is if it is one from a city or county officer rather than CHP. If you lose at that stage you can then appeal and get a new trial. CHP almost always shows up for court but the city/county may not. Then it will be dismissed or you can ask for second offenders traffic school. Since you already have these tickets you may want to check out a service called Pre-Paid Legal. You can join online and for 17.00 a month they will provide an attorney to go to court for you if you get a moving violation. http://www.prepaidlegal.com/info/aoates
If you schedule the appearances for the same day, you can probably get traffic school for both. Read the declaration carefully, doesn't ask if you've been given permission for traffic school, only that you haven't attended such school. Art
