Ticket for unsafe merge/turn?

[derickyan]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

First off, my ticket reads, "21804 (A) unsafe merge/turn into traffic from private lot into #2 lane then stopped."

Its partially true because I did indeed come from a private parking lot on a #2 lane but I DIDN'T stop. I simply slowed down because I needed to change on to the other lane after this car had passed me. (Mind you, we were in the downtown area, so the speed limit was only either 35 or 40.) Unfortunately there was a motorcycle police behind me and gave me a ticket for that.

But because it was during my lunch break I did not have time to argue with him so I said "yes" and "ok" the whole time.
Is our conversation recorded and should I challenge this ticket?

 

[CdwJava]

Your conversation might have been recorded, and, yes, you can go to court and try to fight the ticket. The officer will have to show that your actions were a violation of the code section cited, and you would have to somehow challenge that or raise some good reasonable doubt to the court.

Keep in mind that losing at trial will often take the option of traffic school off of the table. So, you may want to consider that in your evaluation of your options. You can try a trial by written declaration first and then go for a trial de novo (a new trial in court) if you lose (and you probably will). It's possible that when you go to court and find that your officer is present that the court will give you a chance to plead guilty, avoid a trial, and retain the option of traffic school.

It's really a question of how strong do you feel your case is? If ANY car - including the officer - had to brake or quickly yield to accommodate your entry into traffic, then you will almost certainly lose.

 

[derickyan]

Your conversation might have been recorded, and, yes, you can go to court and try to fight the ticket. The officer will have to show that your actions were a violation of the code section cited, and you would have to somehow challenge that or raise some good reasonable doubt to the court.

Keep in mind that losing at trial will often take the option of traffic school off of the table. So, you may want to consider that in your evaluation of your options. You can try a trial by written declaration first and then go for a trial de novo (a new trial in court) if you lose (and you probably will). It's possible that when you go to court and find that your officer is present that the court will give you a chance to plead guilty, avoid a trial, and retain the option of traffic school.

It's really a question of how strong do you feel your case is? If ANY car - including the officer - had to brake or quickly yield to accommodate your entry into traffic, then you will almost certainly lose.

Also, its my first time getting a ticket. So if I do lose, what happens? Do I have to pay more? What do I have to lose by challenging it?

 

[CdwJava]

Also, its my first time getting a ticket. So if I do lose, what happens? Do I have to pay more? What do I have to lose by challenging it?

The only thing you really risk by going to trial is the possibility of traffic school. There is generally no additional penalty for losing at trial - the fines and associated penalties are pretty well set.

Traffic school will prevent the point from going on your record and should then prevent an increase in your insurance premiums. Challenging it should not prevent access to traffic school, but losing at a court trial most often does.