Ticketed in CA:
I legally merged into a lane at LAX and a belligerent driver laid on the horn, whipped out around me and then slammed on his brakes in front of my vehicle and GOT OUT of the car in the middle of traffic at the airport. Crazy people in LA. Of course the whole incident drew the attention of a motorcycle cop.
There was scant room for me to merge, but that is usually the nature of airport traffic, everyone merging and weaving and going into and away from the curb. Technically, I guess I was in the wrong though....
I have a totally clean record. Court date is Friday, and I still can't make up my mind to roll the dice and go to court or just pay it, traffic school and move on.
My question:
I am a WY resident but will be in LA so I could appear for the court date.
Should I get a trial date and gamble that
(a) speedy trial statute may be violated in setting future court date (per previous posts I've read here)
(b) go and ask for a lesser fine ($201 presently)
(c) officer may not show for court date
(d) ???
In my own (biased) opinion, I am a good driver from out of state that just so happened to be merging in front of a person who was not having a good day and tried to refuse to let me into the lane....that makes me want to fight it, even though I'm sure I'd lose in front of the officer, since there wasn't a lot of room to come over.
On the other hand, I live in WY and besides being able to appear on Aug. 14, the follow up court date could be a hassle, unless I could get a continuance and come in Nov.
Any advice, I'm all ears.

