
Quoting
Prwizard
As a former federal manager, I agree with CourtClerk’s view that government employees shouldn’t be blamed for the impact of budget shortfalls on the public. However, I write as a citizen inconvenienced by the situation you described at the LA Superior Court. I have a red light ticket citation pending before the Santa Monica court and am unable to figure out its status in the administrative process. Perhaps you and other forum members can recommend steps I should take resolve the situation, which I’ll summarize below.
The basis of the case is a citation (C223510) by the Culver City Police Dept. The date of violation is 3-1-12. The date issued is 3-8-12. The citation is in my name because I am the registered owner of the car, which is registered in California. I live in northern Virginia. I am 66 years old. I bought the car involved for my daughter Katie, who resides in LA.
The appearance date was 4-9-12. I contested the violation by requesting a Trial by Written Declaration on 5-28-12. I submitted a check for $480 to cover the bail amount, about which I was notified by mail on 3-15-12. My statement of facts simply stated: “I was not driving the car at the time of the automated decision. I stand by my plea of not guilty and request that you dismiss my case in the interest of justice.”
I have not heard from the court, nor have I been able to connect by phone to a live person at the court. The automated telephone system is not very helpful, nor is the online search function on the court’s website. All the site tells me is: (1) “This citation is not eligible for any online transaction.” (2) The “disposition” date is 3-22-12. (3) last action (“All other”), and (4) “new appearance” date is “07-26-2012 in TBD”.
Meanwhile, the Culver City PD mailed Katie a citation for the same violation but with a different citation number (D223510) dated 3-1-12. The appearance date was 5-29-12. In response to the ticket, Katie submitted a request for a TBD on 5-18-12, along with a check for $480, the bail amount. She has not heard back from the court.
Do I have to appear in court on July 26? What is a “new appearance” date? Did the court render a verdict on March 22? If so, what was it? Under these circumstances, would it be prudent to hire an attorney?