California has what are called Mandatory Minimum Fines. If you go to court to contest, the judge has no leeway to reduce or set aside a fine. If you did it, you are guilty, and therefore subject to the mandatory minimum. A red light or stop sign violation is 475.00. Counties add administrative fees and then if you do a payment plan, they charge additional fees. I have had this happen twice in 10 years, and my wife did once. She didn’t see a stop sign that had tree branches covering it. My sister-in-law had one going around a corner to turn into a gas station.
I had my picture taken rolling through an intersection, and it cost a total of 535.00, and I work. My income is about 3000 a month after taxes, so that is a good chunk of my money. Imagine not having a job, and 535.00 is a blow, not just a major inconvenience. Imagine being in Obama’s economy, working 2 jobs at minimum wage, and then getting a ticket. The poor actually are hardest hit.
The other time I had a CHP behind me as I was entering the intersection on a stale yellow light. The officer insisted that I ran the red, but I knew it was still yellow. The judge took the officer’s word over mine. Not every ticket is deserved.
I am all for people should be able to pay their fines and have their licenses straight. I don’t respect people who cast aspersions and make fun of any poor person who has their license suspended or revoked. Sometimes I really wonder why I hang around this place where some of the people are quite sickening.
“475.00”
Well, that must be a pretty wealthy and/or stupid state. Fines at that level here would cause judges to hang from trees like Christmas ornaments.
There is simple solution for photo radar and red light cameras. Pay a few hundred dollars to set up a Nevada corporation and register your vehicle under it in Nevada. This eliminates the link from the car to you and your license. Also name the company something in Spanish like “Venir y tomarlos, Inc.”