Increased citation amounts in CA / Lack of 2 month extension

Glendale, CA

Right turn without stopping for red light.
Cop also writes ticket for lack of insurance because only wife's name is on the proof of insurance.
Initial bail 980 reduced to 350.

Are all the citations so high now. For the same thing a few years ago, it was $140.

I wrote the court about the insurance, enclosed proof of insurance with other docs indicating my name and asked for waiver of $10 fee (was it a mistake to ask for this?).

Court removed the insurance citation and left the red light citation asking me to pay the fine of $350.
I never intended to pay the fine without the trial so I asked for the standard 2 month extension; I also wanted to mail the bail amount. I was told this cannot be done because the case has gone so far. I have to show up at the window. I went to the windows paid the bail and set a trial date.

I assume I should have asked for 2 months before writing to the court. Is that correct?

1. Are there any ways to extend now without too much work.
2. Is there a way to reduce these amounts to something more normal.
3. Should they have allowed me to do it by mail.
4. Can a spouse appear at the window instead? They said no.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by fds
Glendale, CA

Right turn without stopping for red light.
Cop also writes ticket for lack of insurance because only wife's name is on the proof of insurance.
Initial bail 980 reduced to 350.

Are all the citations so high now. For the same thing a few years ago, it was $140.

I wrote the court about the insurance, enclosed proof of insurance with other docs indicating my name and asked for waiver of $10 fee (was it a mistake to ask for this?).

Court removed the insurance citation and left the red light citation asking me to pay the fine of $350.
I never intended to pay the fine without the trial so I asked for the standard 2 month extension; I also wanted to mail the bail amount. I was told this cannot be done because the case has gone so far. I have to show up at the window. I went to the windows paid the bail and set a trial date.

I assume I should have asked for 2 months before writing to the court. Is that correct?

1. Are there any ways to extend now without too much work.
2. Is there a way to reduce these amounts to something more normal.
3. Should they have allowed me to do it by mail.
4. Can a spouse appear at the window instead? They said no.

My response:

I'm not going to research and answer all of your "machine gun" questions; however, the reason why your fine is so high is because of California Government Code Section 76000, which authorizes "enhancement" of fines by the courts at the rate of $17 for every $10 of fine. In other words, every vehicle code violation in California has a bail amount that gets increased by 170%. Read Government Code Section 76000 for particulars and reasons.

So, for example, if your violation base amount is $100.00 for the violation, then expect to pay $270.00 for your bail.

IAAL