what does that mean? i was late to work and got stopped for driving 55 on 40 ! Ive never been stopped before and this is my first ticket.
2007-12-17 06:13:31 · 15 answers · asked by smilingontime 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
3 levels of crime. Felony, Misdemeanor, Infraction.
Felonies = Prison time / fine
Misdemeanor = Jail time / fine
Infraction = Fine only
Its section 22350 CVC. It is an infraction as opposed to a felony or misdemeanor.
Sleepy is not speaking for California law, at all.
2007-12-17 09:08:07 · answer #1 · answered by California Street Cop 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In California there are 3 types of criminal offenses: Felony, Misdemeanor and Infraction. An infraction is a very minor offense that 99.9% of the time is handled by a citation (ticket). The others are usually bookable offenses, though some misdemeanors can be issued citations as well.
The other portion of that is an infraction sentence carries no jail time (and no possibility of jail time IIRC) whereas a misdemeanor can be up to one year in County jail and a Felony is punishable by time in prison.
SLEEPY - Don't know where you get your info from, but it is waaaaay off base for California law/procedure. The only time I am aware of that an Officer actually "takes" your license is when you are arrested for DUI or if you still have it when it is suspended/revoked or expired. We don't take licenses for 25 MPH over or any other infraction. And the courts will almost never suspend the license for a first time violator doing 25 over either.
Also, in California, if you don't sign the ticket you are either arrested and booked or taken directly before a magistrate. There is no, "I don't want to sign it" option really. Signing a citation in California is merely acknowledging that you were cited, you are not admitting guilt and you are promising to appear at the court listed and on the date and time listed.
2007-12-17 14:23:04 · answer #2 · answered by Rottluver 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There are different levels of "offenses". You have Infractions or violations; Misdemeanors; and felony offenses. An infraction is the lowest of these which means that even if you just pay the ticket, you will not have a criminal record...its just a simple violation...like a parking ticket. If this is your first, go to traffic school...its not a big deal...and the points will come off your driving record. Everyone messes up. Don't beat yourself up over this little mistake. Pay the ticket or choose the option for school if you can do that in your state. You'll come out of this just fine. And lastly, don't let this mess up your Christmas!!
2007-12-17 14:27:54 · answer #3 · answered by Radar4925 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Fracture" break or bust or make into pieces.
So "infraction" means you broke the law.
Go to court or if it is a pay in the mail ticket then send them a check. Going to court would be the best course as your record, if correct, is clean so you may get to plea bargain to a none moving violation. I had a ticket just like yours except I was doing 55 in a 35 zone. I had no tickets or anything on my record, so I was allowed to plead guilty to a broken windshield which was a non point ticket and didn't affect my auto insurance or put any points on my drivers license. You better believe I watched my speed after that.
2007-12-17 14:28:57 · answer #4 · answered by sargeArmy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means you were going faster than you should have been going. Not a big deal. "Late for work" is understandable but does not justify speeding.
Your question might mean, "What should I do?" You can always appeal. That means you'd go to court, schedule an appearance and see if the judge would believe you. This would likely cost you a day or two of your own time. If you just pay the ticket, it might cost you less, but it'll be on your driving record. Get too many tickets and your license gets suspended and your insurance becomes a lot more expensive.
However, if you go to driving school, this one ticket will get erased and you're back to where you were before.
2007-12-17 14:32:51 · answer #5 · answered by going_for_baroque 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
An infraction is a minor offense. It's pretty much a warning. There is no penalty for an infraction except a fine.
However, if you believe that you were ticketed falsely, or that you do not deserve the infraction. You may take it to court.
But you MUST have a darn good excuse or proof, or the penalty will be worse if in fact you lose the court case.
A word of advice: Whenever a police officer pulls you over, request his or her badge number, name and the department or barracks he works for. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW THAT INFORMATION! If he/she refuses to provide it to you, they are in contempt of police procedures. Please be polite about it however!
2007-12-17 14:36:48 · answer #6 · answered by James Boroznoff 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
you're lucky it wasn't 20+ over the speed limit, they could have arrested you for Reckless Driving. They usually don't do that, they bump the ticket down to 19 over the speed limit.
But 55 in a 40, that's dangerous. Law enforcement gets a bad rap, but they are just out there ot protect us...thanks to you all!
2007-12-17 14:23:57 · answer #7 · answered by zzyzx08 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
An infraction is a minor charge, it means the penalty is a fine only, and has no jail time.
2007-12-17 14:21:57 · answer #8 · answered by trooper3316 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It's a ticket, if you dont agree with it see the officer in court, get an attorney though.
2007-12-17 16:53:13 · answer #9 · answered by Lance R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That just means that you violated the law. Which is better than Misdemeanor. I am not sure where you live, but out here in Cali, the usual fees are $10 for every mile that you were speeding over the mph. Just make sure that you go to traffic school.
2007-12-17 14:20:24 · answer #10 · answered by Michelle 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋