Some questions about jaywalking. $160 ticket?

[Hello9]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? OC, CA.

I illegally crossed a street between two lights to get to school, I was charged with a $162 ticket. Isn't this a bit excessive for a jawalking ticket and what is recommended that I do? I will provide the actual violation number when I find the ticket. I asked a lawyer and he said just pay the fine and that going to court would increase the fine. I'm a student with no job, car, etc so this is a very big deal for me. This cop is handing these tickets out to 14-18 year old children, granted, it is for their safety and I respect that but that's a very excessive amount, he often waits across the street for the kids.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[Some Random Guy]

Yes it is an excessive amount. That's because they really really don't want you to do it. Just be happy you didn't park in a handicapped spot. Those tickets can be $500 or more in some places.

He is waiting across the street for the kids because it is known that people are illegally crossing there. It is likely that there have been complaints from drivers regarding the hazards of kids strolling across the road.

[racer72]

I was told the reason jaywalking tickets are so high is it costs quite a bit for the fire department to scrape the body parts off the road after a pedestrian is hit by a car. This was after I received a $28 jaywalking ticket in Los Angeles about 20 years ago.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by racer72

I was told the reason jaywalking tickets are so high is it costs quite a bit for the fire department to scrape the body parts off the road after a pedestrian is hit by a car. This was after I received a $28 jaywalking ticket in Los Angeles about 20 years ago.

Actually, with the current drought conditions, it's more likely to cover the increased cost of the water to wash them down the storm drains...

[Hello9]

I know many of you here are being sarcastic, but death is a very serious thing. It seems some here are bothered by what I did, however, it was the only time I have done this as I usually use the crosswalk, I was very careful to wait until there were no cars present. I realize that this, however, does not justify my actions and is a dangerous act, I would just appreciate some counsel on this issue, thank you! I would appreciate if anyone here knew what I should do, is it recommended that I pay the ticket and move on, or is there any chance of reducing the amount?

Originally Posted by Some Random Guy

Yes it is an excessive amount. That's because they really really don't want you to do it. Just be happy you didn't park in a handicapped spot. Those tickets can be $500 or more in some places.

He is waiting across the street for the kids because it is known that people are illegally crossing there. It is likely that there have been complaints from drivers regarding the hazards of kids strolling across the road.

I see, thanks for that sir, I appreciate your advice. Do you have a particular recommendation as to what I should do?

Thank you all for your help. It seems the ticket says 21461.5 VL Pedestrian. Then on another line it says, Disobey 516N.

Can anyone tell me what the 516N code means? I don't believe I've seen this code on the vehicle violation codes for jaywalking, though I maybe wrong.

21461.5, states this,

21461.5. It shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to fail to obey any sign or signal erected or maintained to indicate or carry out the provisions of this code or any local traffic ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to a local traffic ordinance, or to fail to obey any device erected or maintained pursuant to Section 21352.

[Some Random Guy]

Not sure what the 516N means. However, as has been mentioned previously, you don't really have a defense for this, so you should pay it now before you owe $162 + court costs.

[Hello9]

Originally Posted by Some Random Guy

Not sure what the 516N means. However, as has been mentioned previously, you don't really have a defense for this, so you should pay it now before you owe $162 + court costs.

I see, thank you. I guess there is no way to reduce the fine by going to court and I should just find a way to pay this and move on, thank you for your advice sir. I appreciate the time you have given me. Just a question out of pure curiosity, what type of experience do most of the usual posters on this forum have with law?

[I_Got_Banned]

Originally Posted by Hello9

Can anyone tell me what the 516N code means?

516N is probably some municipal code violation number for the city wherein you were cited.

Originally Posted by Hello9

Just a question out of pure curiosity, what type of experience do most of the usual posters on this forum have with law?

Had you read the Forum Terms and Conditions of Use when you signed up, like you were supposed to, you would have had the answer to your question!

Originally Posted by Forum Terms and Conditions of Use

Revised June 7, 2006

The FreeAdvice Forums are intended to enable consumers to benefit from the experience of other consumers who have faced similar legal issues. The Editorial Staff and attorneys at FreeAdvice.com have NOT reviewed the postings on the Forum and FreeAdvice does NOT vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any posting, or the status, legitimacy or bona fides of any person (even one purporting to be an attorney or moderator) making a post. You understand and agree that information on FreeAdvice or a Forum, even posted by an attorney or moderator, should not be relied upon and is not a substitute for advice from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction, who you have retained to represent you.

Ironically enough, the advice given to you by the lawyer with whom you spoke, is INCORRECT:

Originally Posted by Hello9

I asked a lawyer and he said just pay the fine and that going to court would increase the fine.

Going to court in California will NOT increase the fine. Court costs are already included in that amount!

[Hello9]

516N is probably some municipal code violation number for the city wherein you were cited.

I see, thank you.

Had you read the Forum Terms and Conditions of Use when you signed up, like you were supposed to, you would have had the answer to your question!

Yeah, I had already known this, I'm not expecting lawyers to be sitting around here waiting to answer questions on a forum. They're busy making money.

Going to court in California will NOT increase the fine. Court costs are already included in that amount!

I see, great! Thanks, this is the most constructive advice given, I appreciate it! Do you know if it would be a better option to go to court or if the fine would be reduced or you have no personal experience with this?

[I_Got_Banned]

Originally Posted by Hello9

Do you know if it would be a better option to go to court or if the fine would be reduced or you have no personal experience with this?

Actually I have had a single ticket reduced... by a HUGE amount... And the Judge did it voluntarily. I didn't even have to ask him. And not just for me... He was reducing fines What I can tell you is that it depends on a number of different factors.

But that is the exception though. Some Judges will accept a guilty plea with an explanation (meaning you get to tell the Judge whatever silly excuse you made up as to why you were cited), other Judges only want to hear "not guilty", "no contest" or "guilty".

It can also depend upon the particular violation, your driving record (if the judge opts to have it included in your file), your appearance (as in whether you are dressed appropriately or not), your attitude (being ****y and argumentative obviously doesn't help)... And since judges are just as human as the defendants standing before them, one could also assume that it also depend upon his/her mood for the day, amongst a number of different other factors.

What you might want to do is go to the same court you are appearing in a few days before your scheduled appearance date (usually traffic court is held in the same court room all the time, and typically, it is the same Judge is presiding (unless he got assigned to another case, he's on vacation, ... etc).

You might luck out and see the Judge who will be hearing your plea in action... That should give you an idea as to how lenient of stern he is.