Traffic Ticket fine in Los Angeles..ridiculous!

[Mr.2Tcycles]

Well I got a traffic ticket on my bike for riding on the sidewalk, figured I didn't want to end up under some car or bus that day. Tried to pay the ticket today, called the number for the superior court to pay and jumped through hopes just for the automated system to find the ticket. Well it didn't...it wouldn't take my DOB even though I tried 5 times, then it gave me the option to talk to an operator, tried that.....said too many callers call back later, then kicked me back to the front of the menu to enter the same information it just took. This process takes at least 10 minutes. OK here's the kicker, the bail/fine schedule says 20 bucks for riding on the side walk. No big deal right? WRONG!!! that's 20 bucks plus what the traffic court clerk refered to as additional assesment and penalty fees. When asked what for she repeated additional penalties and assesment fees.So 20 for fine 73 for extra fees then another 10 for paying on website Grand total, after paying online $103.00!!!!. State taxes are high here gas is amoung the most expensive, then they rape you on traffic fines and you have to pay for the process. AND THE STATE IS STILL GOING BROKE. California is an extortionist state might as well let the convicts on death row pay for their bullet, gas , or chemicals they are going to use. Now I admit I was wrong for riding on the sidewalk, but I was endangering no one, was no being reckless, nor was I being uncooperative with the motorcycle cop. I thought they charge taxes to cover the states services, build court houses, pay cops,judges and the rest of "the man's machine". More than 3 times the amount of the traffic ticket for extra fees what the.......Pay taxes then fines that go both to the state to spend as it sees fit isn't that double taxation? $103 bucks is a hard hit for me. The system is broken, we are not getting our money's worth, the government is corrupt, the people are being bled dry, and you can't fight the man.

[Russntustin]

Was your engine running? They will give you the same fine for riding a bicycle on the side walk without an engine. Still...what a bummer. My wife got a ticket for honking her horn in her miata.

[jasonh]

uh, the moral of the story? Don't ride a motorized vehicle on the sidewalk.

Heck in a lot of places you can't even ride a pedal bike on the sidewalk.

[Weedylot]

Quit your job, feign illness and get on the California gravy train. The state takes good care of the indigent, feeble, hadicapable and the just too lazy to work high school dropout welfare mommas.
Your fine goes to feed the lazy, the crazy and the stupid.
Gotta love it!
The weather is nice though!

[Mr.2Tcycles]

Originally Posted by Russntustin

Was your engine running? They will give you the same fine for riding a bicycle on the side walk without an engine. Still...what a bummer. My wife got a ticket for honking her horn in her miata.

Was in idle, California code says you can ride anywhere you want if there is an obstacle in the road that will prove hazardous to you. Wonderr if traffic counts. I admit I did wrong and was willing to pay the fine, but tacked on fees 3 times the amount?!!!! Might as well say :"Gotcha!!! Stick 'em up... I am gonna take your money, there's nothing you can do about it.....I AM THE LAW!!!! IT IS WHATEVER I SAY IT IS!!!! That whole go to court thing? Just a front for a scam I am part of".

[Mr.2Tcycles]

Originally Posted by jasonh

uh, the moral of the story? Don't ride a motorized vehicle on the sidewalk.

Heck in a lot of places you can't even ride a pedal bike on the sidewalk.

There are very few bike lanes where I live, and people drive like its DEATH RACE 2008. Its like they set you up to be able to take your money. The courts are in cahoots with the cops.

[Mr.2Tcycles]

Originally Posted by Weedylot

Quit your job, feign illness and get on the California gravy train. The state takes good care of the indigent, feeble, hadicapable and the just too lazy to work high school dropout welfare mommas.
Your fine goes to feed the lazy, the crazy and the stupid.
Gotta love it!
The weather is nice though!

Amen brother. But that just ain't right.

[Youngbird]

Kinda makes me happy that we havent got sidewalks where I live....just loooong, straight, flat country roads. With lotsa cars though. LOL.

[Mr.2Tcycles]

Originally Posted by Youngbird

Kinda makes me happy that we havent got sidewalks where I live....just loooong, straight, flat country roads. With lotsa cars though. LOL.

Do the cops harras you over there?

[Mr.2Tcycles]

Originally Posted by Mr.2Tcycles

Well I got a traffic ticket on my bike for riding on the sidewalk, figured I didn't want to end up under some car or bus that day. Tried to pay the ticket today, called the number for the superior court to pay and jumped through hopes just for the automated system to find the ticket. Well it didn't...it wouldn't take my DOB even though I tried 5 times, then it gave me the option to talk to an operator, tried that.....said too many callers call back later, then kicked me back to the front of the menu to enter the same information it just took. This process takes at least 10 minutes. OK here's the kicker, the bail/fine schedule says 20 bucks for riding on the side walk. No big deal right? WRONG!!! that's 20 bucks plus what the traffic court clerk refered to as additional assesment and penalty fees. When asked what for she repeated additional penalties and assesment fees.So 20 for fine 73 for extra fees then another 10 for paying on website Grand total, after paying online $103.00!!!!. State taxes are high here gas is amoung the most expensive, then they rape you on traffic fines and you have to pay for the process. AND THE STATE IS STILL GOING BROKE. California is an extortionist state might as well let the convicts on death row pay for their bullet, gas , or chemicals they are going to use. Now I admit I was wrong for riding on the sidewalk, but I was endangering no one, was no being reckless, nor was I being uncooperative with the motorcycle cop. I thought they charge taxes to cover the states services, build court houses, pay cops,judges and the rest of "the man's machine". More than 3 times the amount of the traffic ticket for extra fees what the.......Pay taxes then fines that go both to the state to spend as it sees fit isn't that double taxation? $103 bucks is a hard hit for me. The system is broken, we are not getting our money's worth, the government is corrupt, the people are being bled dry, and you can't fight the man.

Oh and get this just after paying them I checked my bank account, and they double charged me. Maybe I just shouldn't leave the house today.