My question involves a speeding ticket from the State of: California
There are two violations on my citation.
223579b (the 7 is scratched over with a 5) and says "Speeding over 55 mph"
23109(a) speed contest
Here's my version of the events:
My friend and I were at a light, he has a car with a loud modified exhaust. We both accelerated briskly, from a red light side by side, from a stop. He accelerated to make a left turn ahead of me and we were pulled over.
The officer said he paced us to 70 mph, but he was turning onto the main road, one intersection behind us, and most likely accelerated up to 70 in pursuit of us. I understand pacing as an officer maintaining equal distance for a certain speed and using the speedometer to gauge.
I'm aware 23109a is a serious misdemeanor and plan on contesting the ticket and planning for the worst. I currently do not have any points on my driving record that I am aware of.
The model and color of my car, on the ticket, are not correct. The color written down as white, though the car is black. The date of the violation is 5/11 and I have not received the courtesy notice (currently 6/9). I called the county courthouse and the clerk has no record of the citation on the court system and continued to insist I check, leading up to the court date. I don't want to risk an arrest warrant and added fines.
My questions are the following:
- How valid is the measure of speed (accelerating up to 70 to reach me) used to gauge me?
- What do I do if I don't receive a courtesy notice and the ticket is still not in the court system?
- Are misdemeanors treated differently from ordinary traffic violations as far as being processed in the court system?

