My question involves traffic court in the State of: California
Just got back from my Trial de Novo. I was cited for 22350.
I objected to the officer testifying as hearsay before I could even say why the judge denied it (the officer submitted a document in my TBWD, under oath, saying he wasn't present when the alleged offense was committed).
Officer testified to the mere existence of a traffic survey. I objected and asked for it to be produced in court and that the officer could not testify to it's existence unless he had participated in the survey. Judge said he didn't know about that and would look into it. Actual survey or a certified copy were never produced in court.
I objected that the survey did not appropriately justify the posted speed limit and was an illegal speed trap. Judge said that the survey existing and being conducted in the proper timeframe was enough.
Went to question officer and was interrupted halfway through my first question and asked how much longer I was going to be. The judge then said that if it was shown I had gone over the posted speed limit it didn't matter. I said 22350 has nothing to do with the posted speed limit and he said it didn't matter and he could amend the charges if he wanted. I then submitted my brief on how the survey didn't justify the limit and rested my case (I didn't want the charges to be amended). It was also clear that my questions I had prepared for the officer were not going to matter.
It's one thing to have a judge rule against you but I didn't even get a chance to present my case. Totally ridiculous. This judge makes $180,000 a year and couldn't even give me 5 minutes to lay out my case.
The ruling will be mailed to me but I'm guessing I will be found guilty. I doubt they will even read my brief but at least it's on file for the court. I guess my next step is a notice of appeal. What kind of court system is this?\
EDIT:I almost forgot. The bailiff gave the CHP officers copies of their TBWD statements before the trial began. Nice impartiality.

