Quote:
Originally Posted by Mo707
The 25$ is a situation fee everyone pays for fix it tickets
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I actually need to see if you can get out of this by seeing a judge, pleading not guilty, and bringing proof.
For example, I got a fix it ticket for expired registration stickers. However, my new stickers were already in the mail (they arrived THAT SAME DAY), and the DMV papers and website say you're allowed to drive if you're just waiting for stickers (registration already paid and smog already passed).
So, I went to court and tried to ask the judge to waive the fee, but he cut me off before I could explain. I chickened out and said "fine" (no pun intended).
Next time I'll make sure to fight. I'd rather spend the $25 on dinner for me and the girlfriend than pay fines to the state when I did nothing wrong.
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While we're at it, I have another "lesson learned" to share. If you get in a wreck and CHP is pushy about using their towing company ("it'll be faster/easier/safer if you use our towing guys"), tell them to go F themselves. They're trying to steal your wrecked car AND stick you with god knows how much for towing fee + daily storage fee + release fee (assuming you still want the car after seeing the other fees).
CHP is in bed with the shady tow yards, so unless you're just a baller, I'd rather sit on the curb losing my own blood, call my own insurance company, and wait for my own tow, than let them screw me out of my car and my cash.
So how do I know this? My sister got in a wreck, and CHP kindly (sarcastic) arranged for the tow. The tow truck driver refused to talk to us until he had my sister's car on his truck. When I finally was able to tell him I didn't want the car to go to their yard, he told us that her car would not touch the ground until he got paid. How much? He had to call his (tow company) HQ to ask: $250 for a ONE mile tow, because the tow company HQ was pissed that they wouldn't get to keep the car / fees.
In my experience (in both East SF Bay and El Dorado County), the local Sheriff's office is VASTLY different from CHP. It feels like the sheriffs are there to protect you, while CHP is there to generate money for the state. On the other hand, I know it's wrong to generalize like that - first step in dealing with any officer/deputy/trooper/whatever is to treat them with respect.
Sorry for the soap box.