Ticket for Not Stopping at a Stop Sign, Obstructed by Vegetation

[lucerne]

My question involves traffic court in the State of: California

I was visiting California and received a traffic ticket in San Mateo county late at night. I was charged with not stopping at a stop sign which was positioned as you drive off the highway. The stop sign was blocked by tree branches, and at night it was positioned away from the intersection such that you cannot illuminate it with headlight. I obtained photos of the stop light that show how the stop sign was blocked.

I returned to NY. The traffic officer circled and told me to call the number of the court before the court day at end of July. I called the court twice two days after the ticket was issued. Each time I waited for 15 minutes and cannot get a person to talk to me. I called the court again 10 days before the court day. Someone answered, and told me the ticket was not in the system. He said I should be receiving a letter. I did not. I asked if he can send me another letter in case the original was not delivered. He said his office could not send another letter and there was nothing he can do.

Today, I received a call from the person who called herself "clerk", from a number "unknown". She is in this "everything is your fault" mode and berated me for not receiving the letter. She wanted to do everything to get me pay the ticket which, as unemotionally as I believe, is seriously misrepresenting. She wants either (1) me appear in court in CA or (2) pay the bill on the internet.

What can I do to obtain a fair representation?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You knew your court date, you chose not to appear in court as ordered or take other timely action (e.g., requesting a TBWD). What part of that is anybody's fault but your own?

What information were you trying to obtain from the court, prior to your court date, and how do you believe that the information would be relevant to your choice not to appear?

Getting representation - i.e., hiring a lawyer to represent you - is your job, not the court's.

[lucerne]

You did not read what I wrote. Are you going about the forum posting random comments without reading the posts?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You said, "The traffic officer circled and told me to call the number of the court before the court day at end of July". You knew the court date, and you chose not to appear on court on that date.

Your childish outburst is, I guess, the best answer you could provide to the question, "What information were you trying to obtain from the court, prior to your court date, and how do you believe that the information would be relevant to your choice not to appear?"

Grow up. Take some responsibility. Learn some manners.