A "win-win"!!?!??!!??? What a bizzare interpretation by a state official. How is it a win if I pay double the already outrageous (based on other states) fine?
I do not recall speaking directly to the Long Beach fine, I was speaking in general. Nor do I recall being of the opinion that the assessed fine of $400 was reasonable or not.
When this first broke in Roseville, officials at the state and county level complained, local officials were reserved, and some of the people subject to these fines were happy because the fines were actually slightly less, but did not go on their record.
As for Long Beach, the 2009 Bail and Fine schedule might show that the recommended fine for 21461(a) (a similar offense) are $201 Los Angeles County may levy a higher fine and assessments than that for CVC violations - perhaps approaching $400 ... I do not know. Based upon the L.A. County fine schedule, it seems that it would exceed the $201 rate, but would not approach even $300. If the LB fine actually is twice the CVC fine, I would agree that it seems to be inappropriate and even unreasonable. But, that is a political decision until or unless a court decides that the penalty is excessive and therefore unlawful. One can rant about it, but it will be up to the politicians there to address that. Unfortunately, traffic violators tend to make up a small and not-so-influential political bloc. And as the LBMC assesses infractions with fines of up to $1,000, it would seem to be lawful, even if apparently unreasonable.
I thought that was what the "traffic school bribe" was supposed to do. It seems that the munis are horning in on the state's scam and beating them at it... the only real looser is the motorist!!
Only if the motorist disobeys the law.
The bottom line is... if the state said that we all had to drive around with rubber chickens tied to our heads... you'd see the validity and reasonableness in it. Sorry to be blunt, but you have drank the kool-aid and your obviously state-slanted bias shows.
You are being silly, Jim. While driving around with rubber chickens on our head might be the law in such a scenario, that does not make it reasonable.
And, for the record, there are laws that I disagree with, but that I have a duty to enforce even if I have to hold my nose. My disagreement does not mean I can ignore the law. However, I can think of at least one law that I would refuse to obey even if ordered to enforce under penalty of dismissal ... but that's another topic (and it is not traffic related).
The definition of "reasonable" is a subjective one. What you often fail to understand or appreciate is that there can be different, and legitimate, interpretations of what is reasonable.
- Carl