Minor Ticketed for Driving with No License

[Fmal123]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: California
I got a misdemeanor on driving underage without a license and running a redlight while using a cell phone (the Bluetooth in the car)
I am 15 and a half and need a lot of help. Please I already know I messed up but please help.
The misdemeanor is no license and the redlight is and infraction.
The car in front of me made it harder for me to see and I didn't know it was red, and I was going pretty slow behind the other car.

[free9man]

What code sections were you cited with violating?

Have you told your parents?

Do you have a learner's permit at all?

[Fmal123]

Everyone on my side knows, yes I have a learners permit. I got 2 codes. One for redlight and one for no license
Code for no license is 12500- M
The redlight one 2145- I
Warning for cellphone and no headlights

[cdwjava]

Fortunately for you, VC 12500(a) is typically charged as an infraction and handled in Traffic Court. Your county may handle those in a special Juvenile Court, but without knowing the county, that's hard to say.

VC 21453(a) (the red light) is an infraction as indicated.

You will likely have to pay about $402 for the license offense and about $490 for the red light. Additionally, you can expect the actual issuance of a license to be delayed at least one year or until you are 18.

Did mom and dad know you were driving the car? Understand that the car could have been impounded for up to 30 days (and cost between $2,000 and $3,000 to be released if held that whole time), and/or your parents could be charged with a crime if they knowingly allowed you to drive unlicensed.

[Fmal123]

We are getting the car out Tuesday luckily, and my county is Ventura County. But my VC 12500 was charged as a misdemeanor. From things I've heard it's possible to get it down to an infraction and possibly dismissed as I get a license. Also it's possible that they don't do anything about my license, from what I've heard.

I need help making the VC 12500 into an infraction and possibly making it get dismissed subsequently me getting a license

And to keep my license safe because I get it in like 4 months, or to be only extended to 6 months.

And then finally getting both hopefully infractions off my record

If it is anyway possible to get it off my record

[cdwjava]

We are getting the car out Tuesday luckily, and my county is Ventura County. But my VC 12500 was charged as a misdemeanor. From things I've heard it's possible to get it down to an infraction and possibly dismissed as I get a license. Also it's possible that they don't do anything about my license, from what I've heard.

What the officer wrote and what will be charged are sometimes different things. In fact, as I recall, the Vehicle Code all but mandates that the offense be charged as an infraction the first time out. Some agencies make it a practice to cite as a misdemeanor, but the DA will rarely take that ball and run with it.

You will know more about the matter at the arraignment (your first court hearing). It is exceedingly unusual to charge these as misdemeanors because they become expensive (you'd have a right to a jury trial and court-appointed legal counsel) and the DA would have to get involved. Misdemeanor charges for VC 12500(a) are often reserved for multiple repeat offenders. An infraction is cheaper and results in much the same fines without the added expense.

I need help making the VC 12500 into an infraction and possibly making it get dismissed subsequently me getting a license

WHY would it be dismissed? A charge like this does not get dismissed because it would be inconvenient for you. Sorry, but you rolled the dice and lost, kiddo. I have four sons, and if any of them had done what you did, he would NOT be getting his license until age 18 because I would not allow it. That, and he'd be working off his fines AND sitting his butt at home for a very long time. You're lucky if the only penalty you face is from the justice system.

And to keep my license safe because I get it in like 4 months, or to be only extended to 6 months.

Not likely to happen. It'll be AT LEAST one year beyond when you would normally be eligible.

And then finally getting both hopefully infractions off my record

If it is anyway possible to get it off my record

Sure. If you go to trial in a few months and the officer fails to show up, the court might choose to dismiss.

[adjusterjack]

And then finally getting both hopefully infractions off my record

If it is anyway possible to get it off my record

Not gonna happen. It's the stupidity penalty. It'll stick to you for several years and heaven help you if you get another citation later on.

And once the court gets done with you, your parents' insurance company will go to work on them with a rate increase that may cost them thousands of dollars a year.

On the other hand, if your parents want to spend a thousand or two on a lawyer you might get a little relief from this debacle.

[Fmal123]

So what your saying is that they probably will change the misdemeanor into an infraction at court and my license will be put a year ahead from when it was eligible.

The thing is, for later on things, if the misdemeanor is put to and infraction, would I be able to drop both infraction off my license like the points and my record through court right?

Also if you have any tips from what I can do at court to help me out

[cdwjava]

So what your saying is that they probably will change the misdemeanor into an infraction at court and my license will be put a year ahead from when it was eligible.

What I am saying is that when you attend your arraignment, you will almost certainly find the matter charged as an infraction to be handled in Traffic Court (maybe Juvenile Traffic Court - I don't know how Ventura County handles traffic matters for minors, though I suspect it will be in plain old Traffic Court). AND, if convicted, your license will more than likely be delayed by one year.

The thing is, for later on things, if the misdemeanor is put to and infraction, would I be able to drop both infraction off my license like the points and my record through court right?

Any points remain for 3 years, and the violations should be on your license for 7.

Also if you have any tips from what I can do at court to help me out

Be contrite and apologetic. Don't try and justify driving without a license, because unless you had a relative dying in the seat next to you and you were rushing to the ER, it won't fly. Dress in a suit and tie even for arraignment and make yourself presentable.

As previously mentioned, if mom and dad are willing to fork out a bunch of money, MAYBE a local attorney can get your license delay time dropped or even eliminated. But, I'd be more than a little disappointed if mom and dad were willing to bend over backwards to help you avoid the consequences of YOUR actions.

[Fmal123]

I would like to have that done, but I will face my consequences, thank you. Also if it is hopefully changed to an infraction, will the driving without license be cheaper correct