Territorial Limits?

What is the name of your state? California

My husband received a speeding ticket for 26mph over the speed limit. He was hanging half off his motorcycle in a downpour/windstorm just to keep his bike vertical. There was no shelter for him to pull over to; in the boondocks, to wait out the storm. He wanted simply to get to his final destination which was less than one mile away. Regardless of his reasons for speeding....which he obviously admits his guilt....he received this ticket in Butte County. We live in Solano County which is over 50 miles from the citation site. I heard somewhere that if the citation site is over 50 miles from your home then an appearance is NOT mandatory. Is that correct? He IS eligible for traffic school. He has 1 prior. Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks,
Jenny

[JETX]

If he is going to challenge the validity of the ticket, an appearance at trial is required. If he is going to plead guilty and request defensive driving, he can likely do that by mail/FAX (depends on the court).

I suggest contacting the court and asking.

He admits his guilt. He wants to pay the fine and go to traffic school. Taking the day off from work and driving 2 1/2 hours to the Oroville court house would cost him more than the fine and traffic school. I did call the court house. They said his appearance was mandatory because he has one prior. I then asked them; not knowing their full knowledge of the law, about the "living 50 miles away from the citation site". They said there was no such thing. I asked her what if he got a ticket in NY state. Would he have to fly all the way there to take care of it? Sounds a bit absurd. She paused and said that he MAY be able to have an attorney make his apperance for him. She wasn't even sure if that was possible. After hearing that...I decided she probably didn't know much of anything and that her not knowing about the territorial limit (50 Miles) doesn't mean it doesn't exist, just that she is ignorant and shouldn't be answering the phone. So here I am Saturday morning. If I can't get any info here I'll be off to find an attorney 5 counties away Monday morning.

-Jenny

[JETX]

There isn't a '50 mile' limitation.