Quote Quoting laojgo
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But I did not go straight from the left turn lane.
Ok...
Quote Quoting laojgo
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I signalled and moved into the straight lane.
And then you went straight from the left turn lane!

Quote Quoting laojgo
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The police then came after me and said you can't go straight from a left turn lane.
How was the lane marked? Were there any signs posted at the intersection? And if so, what did the sign look like/what did it say? Were there any arrows painted on the pavement? Was the lane marked by a straight white line separating it from the lane(s) to the right? You also mentioned a traffic light; was it a red left turn arrow that you were initially stopped for?

Can you post a picture of the intersection that shows those signs/markings? Better yet, you can simply tell us what intersection it was and which direction you were headed and we can look it up on Google Maps...

Quote Quoting laojgo
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So, does that mean you cannot exit the left turn lane once you are in it? That is what I do not understand.
Here's the code section you were cited with:

CVC 22101
(a) The Department of Transportation or local authorities in respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions, may cause official traffic control devices to be placed or erected within or adjacent to intersections to regulate or prohibit turning movements at such intersections.
(b) When turning movements are required at an intersection notice of such requirement shall be given by erection of a sign, unless an additional clearly marked traffic lane is provided for the approach to the turning movement, in which event notice as applicable to such additional traffic lane shall be given by any official traffic control device.
(c) When right- or left-hand turns are prohibited at an intersection notice of such prohibition shall be given by erection of a sign.
(d) When official traffic control devices are placed as required in subdivisions (b) or (c), it shall be unlawful for any driver of a vehicle to disobey the directions of such official traffic control devices.


Here is my interpretation... and I'll use the language of the statute to further demonstrate my point:

When (from subsection (b)) an additional clearly marked traffic lane is provided for the approach to the turning movement, in which event notice as applicable to such additional traffic lane shall be given by any official traffic control device... (from subsection (d)): it shall be unlawful for any driver of a vehicle to disobey the directions of such official traffic control devices.

Brings us back to how the lane was marked/what signs/pavement markings were present OR whether this was in fact (from subsection (b) "a clearly marked traffic lane provided for the approach of the turning movement". Based on what you posted, I can only assume that it is indeed a "lane that is clearly marked as a 'left turn lane' by BOTH, a straight white line extending from its entry point to the limit line AND also by a left turn arrow either on the pavement or by way of a sign that is posted (or by all three, the straight white line, the pavement marking AND the sign" (which is why we call it "the left turn lane")...

Notice that the code section does NOT make a reference to whether the alleged unlawful movement occurred before or after you enter the intersection. It only discusses your entry and presence in a lane that is clearly marked for such movement and the subsequent movement that you can lawfully make! In other words, once you've entered such a lane, you have committed to making the left turn... And traversing straight through the intersection from a "clearly marked left turn lane" (whether it is done before or after you enter the intersection), is in violation of 22101(d).

I could be wrong though... Who knows how the judge may interpret the related code sections!!! The only way to find out is for you to contest it and see what happens...

Good luck!