Crossing a Double Yellow Line to Exit a HOV Lane

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: California
Hello All, I was on my family vacation driving to San Diego CA, it was Friday afternoon, traffic was horrible, I was in the HOV Lane with my family of 4, one of my kid need it to go to the restroom urgently so I decided to exit the HOV Lane (Double Yellow Lane) to go the the nearest exit, I got pulled over by the Police and I explain to him the situation and he give me a ticket any way. I have to pay $690 !!! really? it was the middle of the day, all the cars were stopped, it was an emergency! my question is: Do I go online and pay just the ticket? If I appear in court I might get a relief? I understand that I mad a violation, but. $690?? what do you recommend me to do.
Thank you all!

What were you ticketed with? Normally driving over the double line would be something like 21460 which would be half that. The $690 fine is usually reserved for more serious things (reckless driving).

This appears to be what you were cited for:

21655.8. (a) Except as required under subdivision (b), when
exclusive or preferential use lanes for high-occupancy vehicles are
established pursuant to Section 21655.5 and double parallel solid
lines are in place to the right thereof, no person driving a vehicle
may cross over these double lines to enter into or exit from the
exclusive or preferential use lanes, and entrance or exit may be made
only in areas designated for these purposes or where a single broken
line is in place to the right of the exclusive or preferential use
lanes.
(b) Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle
displaying a red light or siren, as specified in Section 21806, a
person driving a vehicle in an exclusive or preferential use lane
shall exit that lane immediately upon determining that the exit can
be accomplished with reasonable safety.
(c) Raised pavement markers may be used to simulate painted lines
described in this section.

I have no clue about the fines.

Well I guess the officer thought it was reckless driving, when I exit the HOV Lane double yellow lanes he was just behind me, I not even saw him, but it was a lot of traffic at the time.... do you recommend just to pay online? is this difficult to win? it was the middle of the afternoon, on a Friday, no even at 10 mph I really don't think it was reckless driving. Does those online website that say that they can help you? really work? or I'm just going to waste another $100 for nothing.
Thank you for your reply and help!

Quote:

---

Quoting pencanto

---

Well I guess the officer thought it was reckless driving,

---

You're taking flyingron's comment out of context.

If you were cited for 21655.8(a) (read your citation - it'll show the number) then you weren't cited for reckless driving.

Quote:

---

Quoting pencanto

---

do you recommend just to pay online? is this difficult to win?

---

You won't win because you have no defense. But you might try for a plea bargain to see if you can get a lower fine due to the circumstances.

I don't know if you would have to plead not guilty or guilty with an explanation. Maybe some CA people will have some tips.

Quote:

---

Quoting pencanto

---

Does those online website that say that they can help you? really work? or I'm just going to waste another $100 for nothing.

---

Up to you. But I think paying anything for an online "beat the ticket" service is a bad idea.

21655.8 still shouldn't amount to more than a $500 fine.

WHAT EXACTLY WERE YOU CHARGED WITH ... it will be some 5 digit number with VC near it?

thank you all for your help!! the citation number is: 5GB60035W I dont know what it means

Quote:

---

Quoting pencanto

---

thank you all for your help!! the citation number is: 5GB60035W I dont know what it means

---

That could be a consecutive page number out of his citation pad.

Look again.

Do you see any number that looks like:

21655.8(a)

Or something in that type of numerical sequence, either with the letters VC or without them?

yes, now I see it....
VC21655.8(a) PREFERENTIAL TRAFFIC LANES... and in the right hand side it is selected (I) Infraction and NOT (M) misdemeanor.

Thank you!

OK, now who told you the fine was $690?