There is an ample body of case law in CA that would allow for the stop to be tossed.
Yes, 12500 CAN be charged as a misdemeanor, though it is typically filed as a correctable infraction.I agree that the 12951(a) wasn't appropriate, and I thank you for catching that, because I did not read up on that law compared to 12500. It seems like 12500(a) is a stricter penalty (charged up to a misdemeanor?) I think based on what you said, I might as well plead not guilty.
There should be no penalty for taking it to trial.If you plead not guilty and do a TBWD, and are found guilty, can the original fines (ie: the 466 dollars increase).
That's all your call. But, if you lose the TBWD you can certainly opt to pay the fines without making the corrections.Basically, is it a risk by pleading not guilty and later found guilty as opposed to just pleading guilty to begin with? I'm literally leaving the state before December, and am thinking it might be cheaper to plead guilty and pay the $466 then to go through registering the vehicle, smog test..etc, and also getting a CA license, and have the car here for maybe 3 weeks tops.
It is hard to appeal to a guilty plea.If I do plead guilty - will there be anything to prevent me from being charged with the same exact thing immediately after pleading guilty and paying the fine, if I am in fact pulled over again before I leave? Also, if you plead guilty at the arraignment in CA, can you ever appeal your decision?
And, yes, you can still be charged again if another officer should stop you and feel the same way as the first officer.

