I recieved a ticket for "Failure to stop at limit line" in California. The Violation is Vehicle Code:
22450. (a) The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection, or railroad grade crossing shall stop at a limit line, if marked, otherwise before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no limit line or crosswalk, the driver shall stop at the entrance to the intersecting roadway or railroad grade crossing.
My question is whether there is a difference between not stopping at the limit line and not stopping at the intersection. I did make a complete stop at the intersection however, I did not stop at the limit line. Actually there is no limit line at the intersection but there is a marked crosswalk. So technically I should have stopped before the entering the crosswalk. The thing that makes no sense to me is that if there had not been a marked crosswalk I would have made a legal stop.
When the officer who stopped me asked me why I had failed to stop at the limit line I was confused as I had not heard that term before. I also stated that I didn't have a clue as to what he was talking about because I had make a complete stop at the intersection. He stated that I failed to stop at the limit line and that is what he wrote on the ticket. When I went to court they stated that I failed to stop at a stop sign which I believe is a big difference, however I'm aware that to the law it may not. Any information would be helpful, as I go to court in a few weeks.

