Red Light Violation and Speeding Ticket

[NaCl]

My question involves 2 traffic tickets from the state of: California
I received two separate tickets.
Ticket #1: 21453(c).
I made a left turn when the left turn arrow was red. The video showed that I was not within the intersection when the light turned red. This citation was filed by the City of Millbrae. I need to report to the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo

Ticket #2: 223479(a) excess speed over 65 mph.
I was clocked driving at 85 mph in a 65 mph zone. The CHP wrote me for 80 mph. This citation was filed by the CHP. I need to report to the Traffic Court/Small Claim of San Mateo Count Court.

I do not have good arguments to fight these two citations. I was informed my best option would be setting up an arraignment session for both tickets at the same time and plea bargain with the judge. (Do I simply call up one of the courts to combine the two tickets though they are designated to two separate courts within the same county?) If it was just the speeding ticket alone, I could have contested it and wished the office does not show up. But because I also have the red light violation, I need to be safe about using traffic school and avoid any point deduction on my record.

What other options do I have?

Thank you very much.

[That Guy]

223479(a)

There is no 223479(c) vehicle code section. The correct code is 22349(a). Was that your typo or is that how it is written on the citation?

Do I simply call up one of the courts to combine the two tickets though they are designated to two separate courts within the same county?

It these two cases are being adjudicated in two different courts, I highly doubt that you'll be able to transfer one of them to the other courthouse. For a traffic case, a "change of venue" must be requested from the officer before the citation is written and certainly before it is filed in court. You're free to give it a try and see what they say.

If it was just the speeding ticket alone, I could have contested it and wished the office does not show up. But because I also have the red light violation, I need to be safe about using traffic school and avoid any point deduction on my record.

Assuming (1) that you can get both cases to be heard in the same court AND (2) both officers will show up for both of these citations, the judge does not have the authority to plea bargain (I assume your intention is to have one of the citations dismissed). There is a chance that the judge might reduce the fine(s) for one or both, but to suggest that he/she will dismiss one... Not going to happen.

Your best bet would be to elect the traffic school option for one (red light) and try and fight the other one (speeding). But even then, a 22349(a) citation will be extremely difficult to beat...

[NaCl]

Thanks for the quick response.

It was a typo of mine. I was citated for 22349(a).

I am hoping for the judge to give a no pointer for one of the ticket and traffic school for the other, and I will pay the full fine for both. But if I cannot transfer one of the ticket to the other course, I might have to fight the speeding ticket.

My best hope to beat the ticket is to hope that the officer does not show up.

[That Guy]

I am hoping for the judge to give a no pointer for one of the ticket and traffic school for the other, and I will pay the full fine for both. But if I cannot transfer one of the ticket to the other course, I might have to fight the speeding ticket.

The judge has no authority to change the charge (only the prosecutor can do that but since most California traffic infraction cases are adjudicated without a prosecutor, that leaves you having to plea bargain with the officer. You can try that but based on my experience, it will more than likely be a losing battle.

Moreover, a judge is NOT able to give a "no pointer" for any moving violation. When a defendant is convicted of a traffic violation, that conviction is reported to the DMV who will in turn, assess whatever point count is assigned to such violation as per their own schedule.

[NaCl]

Just got back from the court.
The judge told me she cannot combine the two different tickets issued by two different cities. Because those two tickets involve two separate violation, there's nothing she can do.

She also told me that I will not be eligible for traffic school if I elect for community service.

She gave a $100 reduction to everyone who pled guilty or no contest. So I pled no contest.

Now I just need to fight my speeding ticket and hope the office does not show up.

Thanks everyone for the help.