COMPLETELY UNTRUE TRAFFIC CITATION - LOS ANGELES, CA

[Teter]

Los Angeles, CA
I was stopped by the police on 4/2/10, and was aggressively accused by the officer of being on my cell phone. I was NOT on the phone which I told him, but he subsequently demanded my registration, driver’s license, and proof of insurance. He called to validate my insurance which was indeed valid and current, but noticed my insurance 'card' had expired. He returned all three documents, and cited me with a “warning about cell phone use,” plus, “no proof of auto insurance.” I had neglected to put my new insurance card in my purse which I had back at the office. The citation reads “no proof of auto insurance,” rather than “expired insurance card,” along with a "warning about cell phone use" which is the reason he stopped me . . . but was unequivocally not true. My company pays for my cell phone which I have at the insistence of my boss, but I'm not particularly "cell phone savvy." I didn't realize at the time I was stopped, that my phone records all incoming/outgoing calls with the dates/times. I since have discovered that feature and have the records to prove I was not on the phone as the officer insisted. I received a letter in the mail this week stating the bail amount for the cited violations is $826, and it appears that I must pay that amount before I can even request a court date to present my case. Not only does that amount seem grossly excessive, it would be a tremendous hardship for me to have to come up with $826 prior to beginning the arduous task of arranging to go to court to defend myself. I feel completely at the mercy of the Police who without any cause, and more importantly, proof . . . stopped me for something I did not do. Do I have any recourse?

you only need to pay that amount if you didnt have insurance at the time. all you need to do is go to the clerks office with proof of insurance at the time the violation was written and it will be dismissed. ive had to do this myself for the exact same reason. and im in ventura so im sure its the same with la.

I did the same in Long Beach.