I recently got a ticket from not stopping long enough at a stop sign...?

Question

I didn't think I did anything wrong, but I guess I pulled what they call a "California Roll."

About how much should I expect the ticket to cost with traffic school?

Do I have any chance of beating it in court?

Answer 1

The wheels of your car need to stop turning completely. I've watched a lot of stop sign controlled intersections while working and I'd say at least 80% of people do not bring their vehicle to a COMPLETE stop. Some people think that braking hard and slowing down a lot constitutes a stop (hence your wording "stopping long enough") but it doesn't. So many people don't properly stop that I often resort to pulling over only those who simply braked slightly at the sign. I suspect the officer that stopped you was doing the same thing, so I bet you blew that sign pretty good.
You don't say where you are, here in Ontario it would cost you $110 for the ticket. We don't have traffic school here in my city, so count yourself lucky if you have that option.

I have seen Justices of the Peace here in traffic court listen to both sides of the story (officer,defendant) and decide that both stories are credible and give the benefit of the doubt to the defendant. It really depends on the Justice presiding and the ability of the officer to articulate his/her case. Here in Ontario it costs nothing to go to traffic court and if you lose the penalty will be the same cost as the ticket (and your time). Depends if you think it is worth your while to fight it.

Answer 2

Although chuck_junior is right that traffic fines are uniform (within a few dollars) throughout California, and that you have to pay the fine even if you go to traffic school, I do not know where he got his figures. The uniform fine for violating Vehicle Code section 22450(a) is $146. I also have never seen traffic school costing anywhere near $75. The court will charge a nominal administrative fee, and traffic school usually costs around $25.

If you cannot dispute the officer's testimony that you did not stop, you have no chance of winning unless the officer simply does not show up. That sometimes happens, but for my money not often enough to waste a day in court when I can just go to an online traffic school.

Answer 3

Generally if you go to traffic school you won't have to pay the ticket. Traffic school costs different amounts depending on your state and the school conducting the classes. Traffic school is what I would recommend as your insurance company won't know about the violation and raise your rates. Don't try court it might work and it might not. Too much of a gamble. Next time keep the California roll in the sushi restaurant and stop fully.

Answer 4

We experienced the same thing when we moved here from another state. We now are in a large metropolitan area vs. a small town and we were informed by an officer that a "rolling stop" was not a legal stop. You have to come to a STOP -- in other words a complete stop and then you would start again in low gear. I am not sure how you would come out in court. City goverments are so different.

Answer 5

Actually, I think you have a great chance of beating it, know your rights before you go.
I got a ticket when I was sideswiped, and I got it thrown out, due to reasonable doubt, but I knew my rights when I went into the court room. I am a legal services broker, and I didn't think it would look good if I had paid for something as stupid as that. If you want to know more about what I do, email me and I will send you a link to learn more, better to have representation, and the services I broker is the best in North America and Canada.

Answer 6

1. There is no such thing as a "rolling stop".
2. You either stopped, or didn't.
3. a stop is defined as a total cessation of movement, which your car can achieve with judicial use of the breaks.

This notion of California, or rolling stop is perpetuated by people and officers. when an officer says you didn't come to a complete stop i want to laugh as you either did stop or didn't. there is no partial stop, that means you just slowed down.

Answer 7

when I took driving lessons in Fla 12 years ago, the instructor advised that the cops down here were quick to ticket you for "rolling stops" and the best thing to do was to count 1 mississippi, 2 mississippi, 3 mississippi at each and every stop sign. Impossible to know re the fines- so different at every municipality.

Answer 8

you can most likely beat it BUT it depends on the state your in. I think i heard 70 percent of the people that go to court on this kind of ticket beat it because the corrupt cops would rather be out there trying to sucker other people into paying than to come to court to challenge the ticket. if you just show up, it will most likely be thrown out. Might cost you a day at the courth house though.

Answer 9

Contrary to some of the answers, if you got this is california you have to pay the citation and pay for the school. The cite is 270.00. The school will be 75-125.

John S. I believe you've forgotten about the "Enhancements" that counties are allowed to add in. In my county, any moving violation starts at $270.00 and goes up from there.

Answer 10

Ive gotten a few of the "california roll" tickets, I just paid them, I dont have the time to waste in a courtroom.