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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    2

    Default Tickets for Modified Equipment

    My question involves vehicle maintenance laws for the State of: CA

    I was recently issued a citation from the LA County Sheriff for having "Modified Lighting Equipment (Dark Brake Lenses)." My tail lights are tinted, so I am not disputing the validity of the citation. However I am worried that instead of just giving me a Fix-It ticket as most officers would do, the citing officer issued me a moving violation.

    On my ticket, I am cited for a non-correctable violation of CVC 26101, which I looked up. It states:

    "26101. No person shall sell or offer for sale for use upon or as part of the equipment of a vehicle, nor shall any person use upon a vehicle, any device that is intended to modify the original design or performance of any lighting equipment, safety glazing material, or other device, unless the modifying device meets the provisions of Section 26104. This section does not apply to a taillamp or stop lamp in use on or prior to December 1, 1935, or to lamps installed on authorized emergency vehicles.

    Amended Sec. 26, Ch. 945, Stats. 1997. Effective January 1, 1998."

    So my concern is that instead of a simple fix-it-and-be-done-with-it scenario, I was cited for operating a vehicle with illegal lighting equipment and will be assessed a moving violation.

    Can anyone shed light on this?

    Also, I was recently issued a fix-it ticket by LAPD for having no front plate. My car has a Euro-style body kit and doesn't have a bracket for a front plate, and I'm not too keen on drilling into the body to add a bracket. My questions are 1. If I affix a bracket with double sided tape or some other similar mechanism, will I pass inspection and 2. If I am given a second fix-it ticket for the same violation, do the penalties increase, and if so, how?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    California
    Posts
    20,594

    Default Re: Recently Issued Tickets in CA

    Quote Quoting djb0501
    View Post
    So my concern is that instead of a simple fix-it-and-be-done-with-it scenario, I was cited for operating a vehicle with illegal lighting equipment and will be assessed a moving violation.

    Can anyone shed light on this?
    The total fine and fees should come to about $108 and it is worth 0 points against your license ... according to the 2008 CA Bail and Fee Schedule.

    Also, I was recently issued a fix-it ticket by LAPD for having no front plate. My car has a Euro-style body kit and doesn't have a bracket for a front plate, and I'm not too keen on drilling into the body to add a bracket. My questions are 1. If I affix a bracket with double sided tape or some other similar mechanism, will I pass inspection and 2. If I am given a second fix-it ticket for the same violation, do the penalties increase, and if so, how?
    The sections that cover license plates are primarily addressed in CVC 5200 and 5201. CVC 5201 says, in part:

    5201. License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the
    vehicle
    for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from
    swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible,
    and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible.

    If your double sided tape or other adhesive is sufficient to prevent it from falling off in wind, rain, traffic, speed, etc., then it should be sufficient. Most tapes I know suffer in weather.

    Check with a dealer that specializes in your vehicle - they likely have a fix for you.

    As for subsequent violations, yes, the penalties CAN increase. For instance, a failure to correct a violation could result in a misdemeanor citation rather than an infraction. There are other options for the creative officer, but unless you are unfortunate enough to catch the attention of the same officer or live and work in a jurisdiction small enough that they will all know you, it is doubtful that you will suffer an enhanced citation. But, the court might get tired of seeing you after a while.

    - Carl

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