Speeding Ticket, Clerk Typed in Wrong California ID Number

[maximai]

My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: California

I got a speeding ticket for going 75 in a carpool lane where max speed is 65. The officer had all my information correct but when I got the ticket sent home, my California ID they had on me had a number wrong so lets say my ID number is E1234567, they had it E2234567. Is there anything I can do to get off or do I have to ask them to correct it and still have the ticket. Thanks in advance.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Why do you want them to correct it? If they don't correct it, the ticket may not be accurately abstracted to your driving history. There's no guarantee they won't fix the error on their own, but I don't know why you would go out of your way to try to get them to fix it.

[maximai]

I was thinking since all my information matches in the system except for one digit of my California ID, wouldn't they be able to fix it and then bill me or even suspend my license when they find out?

[blewis]

"When they find out?" You mean just ignore this ticket? No one has advised you to IGNORE this ticket. Mr. KIA was simply telling you that if YOU don't correct the mistake, there's some chance the ticket will NOT show up on YOUR record. However, if you point it out to them, it surely will.

Personally, I would just pay the ticket and hope that the DMV clerk won't notice. If you go to court over it, it will just increase the chance that someone will correct the mistake.

But, it's up to you. If you think you've got a good chance of beating it, go to court and have your say. The ticket error will NOT be enough to get you off -- your identity is established by your correct name and address. If you don't have a good defense, just pay it and hope for the best. Don't forget, there's alway traffic school and other options.

BUT DON'T JUST IGNORE THIS TICKET!

Barry

[Antigone]

Re: Speeding Ticket, Clergy Typed in Wrong California

If I speed on my way to church is the pastor going to write me a ticket

[maximai]

Thanks Barry,

I think I'm going to try and contest it and I was thinking if I lose, i'll just pay for it and it should still be under the wrong California Id, correct? instead mines. Because when I first read your comment, I was thinking of taking your advice and paying for it and hopefully they don't connect the mistaken Id to the correct one which is mine. But I think if I fight it, there's a chance I might win or in the case that i lose, i'll just pay for it and the point will go on the wrong california ID.

And I was wondering for those who knows...if i lose and the court sends the info to the dmv, what information do the dmv use to send to my insurance company? is it my name and address or california id?

I'm still not totally sure on what to do and any advice would be greatful. My fine is due before July 30 and if time is needed, i'll request a later date.

btw, I can't take traffic school because I already did it 11 months ago. Thanks for the help.

[That Guy]

btw, I can't take traffic school because I already did it 11 months ago. Thanks for the help.

You may qualify for the 2nd offender traffic school. Some of the main differences between that and the 1st offender traffic school are as follows:

• It is a 12 hour course (instead of the normal 8 hours);
• It must be taken in a classroom setting (cannot be done online); and
• Although the violation will not result in the addition of any points on your driving record, it will show on there as a zero point violation (whereas the normal 8 hour 1st offender will result in a complete dismissal of the violation).

Check with the court where you are scheduled to appear to see if you are eligible AND check with your insurance carrier as to how much of an impact if any, it will have on your annual premium.

[blewis]

The problem with fighting the ticket is that when your case is called, the judge will call up your DMV record on his computer (at least they would here in WA). If that happens, there's a really good chance that when the judge keys in your license number from the citation, he/she will realize that it's wrong and correct the citation on the spot.

That's why I think your best bet is just to send it in. However, St. That Guy's advice about "2nd offender traffic school" is probably the best way to go -- all things considered.

Barry

[That Guy]

Sorry I missed this part of your question last night....

And I was wondering for those who knows...if i lose and the court sends the info to the dmv, what information do the dmv use to send to my insurance company? is it my name and address or california id?

The court will send a record of the conviction to the DMV including the violation description and vehicle code section, the name, address and driver's license number of the driver as those appear on the citation or any corrections that may follow as well as the final disposition of the case.

And the DMV does not send anything to your insurance company... Your insurance company has access to DMV records and they periodically review those records by entering you name, DL #, date of birth...

No one here can say for certain as to whether the error on your citation will ever be corrected or not (chances are it will). And no one will advise you to ignore the citation.

Point is, let us assume that you were to ignore the citation as if it wasn't yours, and lets further assume that the error is discovered later... By you failing to appear in court to handle the citation, that will result in the addition of a "Failure To Appear" charge which, by the way, is a midemeanor and it carries a minimum fine of $75 plus an additional $400+ of penalties and assessments, as well as a license suspension.

So your $200 citation could end up costing you in upwards of $700...

You want to take that chance? Go ahead!

However, St. That Guy's advice about "2nd offender traffic school" is probably the best way to go -- all things considered.

Sir Barry is DEFINITELY right about that!!! At least that's what I think!!!