CVC 14604 (a)

I live in California.

My wife’s cousin bough a car, and I registered the car under my name to help him. He was involved in a bumper to bumper accident, and I was cited with CVC 14604 (a)

The police officer wrote the correct vehicle code on the citation but circled infraction. When I went to pay the ticked I was told that my citation is a misdemeanor. All this time I though it was an infraction.

The police officer also wrote on the ticket to show up in court on Saturday, November 27, 2004. I went to court on 11/23/04 and they found no record and told me to show up on 11/27/04. I had to explain to them that it was a Saturday. They stamped my citation and asked me to call on Monday. The court is known to make mistakes, so I went to court on 11727/04 and it was closed. I have a parking receive that proves I was there.

I did not know that by allowing an unlicensed driver I was committing a misdemeanor.

From the scene of the accident he called me. I arrived at the scene and was asked by a police officer if I knew he was an unlicensed driver. I admitted I knew because I thought I would not be held responsible for another person actions.

When the officer had put on his helmet and was getting ready to leave. I reminded him to call the tow truck.

My ignorance of the law lead me to be honest with the police officer, to remind the police officer about the tow-truck and to agreed to help my wife’s cousin.

Due to the nature of my work, I cannot have a misdemeanor on my record.
What are the chances that the judge will reduce it to an infraction?
Do I need to hire a lawyer? Can a lawyer help?

FYI: I transferred the vehicle to his name.