Other Violations: Cell Phone Ticket in California

Quote:

Quoting oteaqueen

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: California.
I received a cell phone ticket on Sep. 4, 2012. I'll try to keep my explanation short. My iPhone didn't automatically connect to my bluetooth so I was tapping on the screen to force it to connect while yelling to my sister that my bluetooth didn't connect so she would know I couldn't really hear her. The Officer saw this and pulled me over. Didn't care about my explanation but kindly made a note of it on my ticket. I still haven't received a notice in the mail to tell me how much the ticket will cost and when I call the LA Superior Court, I get stuck in an endless loop of automated messages. I also tried the LASuperiorCourt.org web site to look up my ticket with my CDL & ticket # and nothing comes up. How do I find out how much the ticket is so I can pay it already. I want to avoid having to physically go down to the court on November 27, 2012 (date at the bottom of the ticket). Please help! Thank you :)

If your ticket has not been filed with the court yet (a clear sign by it not coming up online) there isn't much you can do except to continue trying. You're still ways away from November 27th so how about you use your iPhone calendar to set up a weekly alert/reminder to do a search online to see if it has been filed.

The fine should be approximately $163.

And for future reference, the fact that you were holding your phone in your hand is in clear violation of the law.

VC 23123.

(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving.

(b) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a base fine of twenty dollars ($20) for a first offense and fifty dollars ($50) for each subsequent offense.

(c) This section does not apply to a person using a wireless telephone for emergency purposes, including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity.

(d) This section does not apply to an emergency services professional using a wireless telephone while operating an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in Section 165, in the course and scope of his or her duties.

(e) This section does not apply to a person driving a schoolbus or transit vehicle that is subject to Section 23125.

(f) This section does not apply to a person while driving a motor vehicle on private property.

(g) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2011.

The only way you can use a phone while you are driving is if it is set up to be used in a hands free manner. Strange how they set that up but hey... It applies to everyone the same way!