A cop friend passed me in his car and a min. later my cell phone rang. It was my friend the cop.
It was then a CHP put his lights on me and I pulled over.
My cop friend said, is he a county Cop or a CHP ? I told him it was a CHP.
He said, They are assholes ! That him talking to the CHP couldn't get me out of the ticket.
That is was only a $20.00 ticket.
About 4 weeks later I got a letter in the mail. $ 141.00 F#%kin dollars.
What the hell ? I told my cop friend about this. We came to the conclusion.
If the State of California told people the Ticket was $141.00 and up.
People would not use there cell phones while driving. But telling us that it is only $20.00
they know they have a CASH COW !!!
I am really starting to HATE this state. Texas is starting to look real good !

What a Joke - $122. for my cell phone ticket in Fresno County! This Oinker Motorcycle cop who was way too big for his bike pulled me over as he puffed out his chest and walked to my window. He still had donut crumbs on his too tight police outfit. Long story short, gave me a ticket that was supposed to be $20. Yea right! More like $122. Yet our State still has the worse deficit ever? Where is this money going? The courtsey notice letter they send you sure in the hell doesn't show all the "fees!" It just has the bail amount! As I drove to work, I counted 15 drivers on their cell phone in a 8 minute period.
Great job Oinkers! I know you didn't write the law, you just enforce the stupidity of it! I just wish you'd pull each other over as you hold that DONUT to your mouth and drive with one hand! What a Joke!

I got pulled over wrongfully on this one...I was driving and drinking a soda when a cop pulled me over. He asked for my information and asked if i know what he stopped me for, I told him no i don't( I really didn't). He straight up said i was texting while driving, that really shocked me because i really wasn't. I told him "i wasn't texting officer". He said don't lie i saw you did it and just gave me ticket. I was pretty upset on this one because i really wasn't texting nor was on my phone at the time i was pulled over. My phone was actually in my pocket the whole time. I mean if i really did it i was just paid for the ticket because texting is freaken dangerious but I was wrongfully accuse on this one. I bet if though my soda was my phone but the police man just didn't want to hear what i have to say. He seems to be in a hurry. I just hope my phone record would clear me at this point.

They should also start ticketing for eating in the car, smoking, driving with one hand on the wheel, talking to other passengers in the car, listening to music, ummm, am I forgetting anything? People are bad drivers, with or without the cell phone to their ear. This law is a frivolous way to extort money from us. I am truly disgusted that a $20 fine is really a $132 ticket...at least I'm hoping from some of the amounts mentioned on this site. SHOCKING!!!! At least when the police call to raise money, I can say already donated!!!

Well it seems like counties can pretty much charge whatever the hell they want to for these "$20" tickets.
Mine was in Sacramento County - bail - $138.

I seldom talk on the phone while driving. I own a bluetooth but got out of the habit of wearing it since I got so few calls.

So one day my son calls me, I take the call without hands-free device, and there is Mr. CHP asshole, ready to write a ticket.
The damn bluetooth was in my pocket.
I figured, no big deal, $20, and I have started to use the bluetooth again, even if my calls are infrequent.

Then my ticket comes in the mail today, $20 turns into $138, and I find this site that basically confirms it is the higher amount.

This is no doubt a way for the government of the bankrupt state of California to get some easy money from its citizens.

The CHP have definitely kicked up their enforcement several notches.
The next time that I hear a cop gets shot, I will not feel sorry for him. There is a good chance that the bastard deserved it.

FUCK THESE ASSHOLE COPS!

I just rcvd. a "NOTICE TO APPEAR" 4 USING the cell phone 2day!....the ONE time using it......WTF.!!!!. ..aww well...m glad for the insightful info. from everyone here making a comment of this new LAW of making "DONATIONS"!! lol

I received a ticket while on a business trip to OC - and I was stopped just for talking on the cell phone - which I was not aware of. The officer said that it would be a $25 and would not show on my driving record.. I had to wait about a month to find out how much it was and it is was $132, NOT $25 as the officer said it would be...and it offered me to go to Traffic school for $180. Why would I need to go to Traffic school if it isn't going on my driving record. DAH... and also everything I see says the first offense is $20..not $132.. HAs anyone been able to fight this $ amount - it states it is $20 for the first offense- not $132..ANd I am not late yet.. It is not due until July 30th or something .. So I am confused.. Kelley

on May 27th, I got pulled over for being on my cell phone, I had it on speaker phone. I did not have proof of insurance in my car but the officer believed me that I had auto insurance. He wrote my ticket up for talking on a cell phone and no proof of auto insurance and marked the auto insurance proof as a NOT A FIX IT violation. I received my courtesy bail amount in the amount of $934.00. I have a prefect driving record and I find this to be loan sharking. I guess they figure if you have a job you can pay it and you are paying for others that cannot pay and are in jail.

Is it legal for cops to use there cell phones wile driving? I saw a Roseville cop with one in his ear for about 2 or so miles and then he missed the green light thus going thur the red. This is bull! Does anyone know the law regarding cops and cell phones?

Found this site and started reading peoples comments, complaints and bad references to law enforcement.
So as one of those bad, thieving, crooked, stupid, corrupt, etc, I would like to give you the other side of the coin.

We do not create the law and put them into the books, you do!.

For the people who truly have people in hospital, sick kids, etc. Pull over and stop, talk to them, tell them you are on your way. Its better than being on the cell phone and having a crash so that you end up not getting to them, or getting stopped and issued a ticket.

Now the people who also get pulled over because of putting finger into ear, hand on head to keep it up etc, but not on the phone. Go to court with you phone records showing that you was not on the phone at that date and time. You should have no problem getting the ticket dismissed by the judge.

I have had stopped a person who had the phone up to his face, when I said I was stopping him because he was on the phone, he said that he was not. I asked why was it in his hand, and up to his face. He replied that he chews on it when he is driving.

Good answer, but believe it or not people say the most bizarre things to get out of a ticket. So to sort his comment out I asked him to show me his last dialed and received calls, and what did it show, he had not been on the phone when I stopped him. So what did I do, advised him that it was not a good ideal to hold on to his phone as it would tend to get him pulled over.

I let him go on his way along with some other comments to pass along to his friends and family, that it was also not legal to use the speaker phone system, when still holding the phone, as the law is Hands free.

I have had people say but it’s not to my ear!!!!

As for the cost, we generally do not know what the final cost is for tickets, other than what is stated in public records, (Cell $20) and if we are wrong, then we get the other end of the stick, but the cop told me it was going to be $500, and the courts are billing me $1000.

When asked I said that the fine is $20 plus court fees, note that I make sure that they know that the final cost is not just the $20. I also tell them that its not a point on there driving license, but is recorded.

On the upside I do know what total cost is for my area as my daughter got a ticket for the cell phone and it was more than the $20, like wise my son got a seat belt ticket, which was also more than the fine.

For the people who are on the cell and get caught, just remember the time when you got pushed off the road by that other person on the phone, not aware of you or people around them, and you wished there was a cop around to give them a ticket.

Many people are misinformed as I was. I called CHP. The pointed me to this:

Search for "23123" in the following document 2009_jcbail.pdf (Google for it. Sorry, I am not allowed to post links. It a California state government document) Document titled is "UNIFORM BAIL AND PENALTY SCHEDULES" -- obvious innit?

Well, I got "busted" by a big bad motorcycle-riding-bagel-eating-moustache-having-leather-clad A-HOLE for what he said was a $20 ticket. He lied. Arnold lied. The government lies - big surprise. The ticket was NOT $20 it was $132. And, I lost the damn thing. My wife and I have a 15 month old daughter and have no free time what-so-ever and I subsequently forgot about the thing until today. I went down to pay it and found out that it had jumped up to $689. Are you F*CK!N@ KIDDING ME!? What a bunch of thieving lying PRICKS. I am a law abiding citizen. I vote. I don't engage in illegal activities. I report crime. I do the right thing for the right reasons. That said, I do not believe the police are here to help anyone. They most certainly have NEVER helped me. FU@K THE PO-LICE!

I come out of the Alberton's parking lot when my mother calls. I pick up the phone (have my ear piece in my side door), make a left out of the parking lot and a cop is right there. He sees that I have JUST entered the road. He pulls me over, I try to explain, SHOW him the earpiece but acts like a the stereotypical harda$$. I'm out here for law school from Illinois where it is NOT illegal so I keep forgetting. It is second nature to just grab my phone when it rings and I am driving. I try to explain this to him, and of course, it was to no avail. Hopefully I will see him in the courtroom five years from now because he did something stupid as a cop.

i was lost trying to get to a dr.'s appt for my 2 sons.... i had my cellphone on speaker and was holding it in my hand NOT EVEN CLOSE TO MY EAR kinda like a walkie talkie.....and him and his partner pulled me over and i said i was calling for directions as I was lost AND they didn't even let me slide.....NICE....this is why cops get a bad name for themselves... i'm a single mom thats been driving for twenty years with only 1 accident on my record and thats because i fell asleep at the wheel.!!!!! I pay more attention when I have the cellphone to my ear then when its on speaker phone cause I cant understand and hear the person talking !!!!!! shitty law for EXPERIENCED DRIVERS !!!!!

I HOPE ALL CORRUPT COPS DIE!I HOPE ALL CORRUPT COPS DIE!I HOPE ALL CORRUPT COPS DIE!

Ahh, i see ive join the $132.00 club.. Effing Cop/Government taking money from this good for nothing shitty law. EFF this Shit.

Does pleading no contest at arraignment keep this off your driving record for insurance purposes???

I got a notice saying that mine is $170 in San Diego? What the dealio? Even $132 is too much, but $170?

The point of this law is to reduce accidents. A friend of mine was hit this week by a woman who drifted out of her lanes while reaching for her cell phone. It rang so she 'HAD' to get it. My friend and two of her daughters are in hospital. Her youngest is probably going to be paralysed for life.

Now I'll be the first to agree that CHP are retards and that there are a lot of bogus tickets being handed out. But the law is a good law.

Re-cap. Back in Feb. I was pulled over for using a cell phone while driving. I wasn't. I was scratching my ear. Cop wouldn't listen. I get a $132.00 bail, fine, or whatever you call it. I waited until I was able to print out my phone record for that time. Applied for a "Trial by Declaration" and paid my bail. I wrote a polite and clear explanation of the events, included a copy of my phone record showing I had not been on the phone that day, and included a copy of my bill to show that the phone record was for my phone. Today I received a notice from the court that it found me "NOT GUILTY" and is refunding the total amount of my bail. I should receive the refund within 60 days. So from the day of the citation up to today is a little less than 2 months. I will be a little less cynical from now on. I recommend patience and politeness.... unless your guilty. Then you should just suck it up and pay your fine!

I drive a taxi in San Diego. Today I got stopped and pulled over. When the officer asked me, "If I knew why I was pulled over", "I told him absolutely not" and when he told me it was because I was using a cell phone while driving I couldn't believe it. The funny part about it the police commented on what a nice Blue tooth hands free system I had. At the time I had a passenger who told the police that I wasn't on the phone. The officer said "He saw something rectangle shape by my right ear". Well it turns out that he confused my ID Badge which is required to worn by ALL DRIVERS at ALL TIMES as a CELL phone.
HE GAVE ME A TICKET ANYWAY. Could not believe it.

SO according to the police I had a bluetooth wireless headset in my left ear and holding up the cell phone to my right ear talking to them on my cell phone and also talking to my passenger because I can tell the police my exact conversation. This was ALL DONE without the my Phone company records recording the phone call. If you are in the eastern part of San Diego around 805 freeway and University beware of officer Reinhold and Maley, these police are dangerous and morons.

I will not accept this on my record. I intend to fight it. I have my phone records showing no calls within 15 minutes before I was pulled over and 30 minutes after. I also have my passenger who has agreed to testify that I was not on the phone. Intend to go dressed exactly as I was the day with the ID Badge and everything. To show that it's take a real genius to confuse an ID Badge for a Cell phone.

I don't why anyone would get a hands free set any way I spent a good $135 dollars on the best Blue tooth I could get and for what so the police could compliment me on it and than give me a ticket any way. But it really sucks the police can make whatever accusation they want and when the dust settles. You still end paying the court fees and everything to prove that you were innocent. Not to mention the lost income from going down and wasting your time in a court system. What a scam.

John
San Diego Ca

So what will be the next Pus*y law CA passes---eating while driving? Reaching in the backseat while driving? Daydreaming while driving? Adjusting the radio while driving? CA culture and laws are way too soft, it's sybmol is a big wet sloppy crying vag*na. Please don't be hypocrites; you must now create legislation against anything that may be unsafe. Make it illegal to shave with a straight edge. Outlaw taking Tylenol while having a beer. Make it illegal for adults to smile at children---you'll cause their mothers to experience anxiety. The sanctity of life is sooooo effing precious, by all means, don't leave the effing house, unless you've applied sunscreen (next pus*y law.) You're a bunch of pus*ies and you voted the sloppiest whiniest Sheila Broflovski politicians to represent you. No wonder your state is in such a deficit. You shoot from the pus*y. You let the softies pull the wool over your eyes with their soft crying pus*ies.

Notice how other states haven't followed suit quickly with passing this law because they aren't a bunch of safety freak pus*ies trying to make names for themselves. I hope the politicians who made a name for themselves passing this Pus*y bill into legislation are proud of the name they made for themselves.

Blame it on toxic assets - San Mateo lost $132 Million when Lehman Brothers failed.
They only need to pull over 1M morons on their cellphones to get it back.

But, I don't like the law either. The law should say - "cause an accident while talking on the phone, go to jail for 1 to life depending on the damage and mayhem caused".

I had my phone wired to my earpiece ie following the law and using a proper handsfree device. I picked up the phone
for a few mins while still talking thru my earpiece.
The lights go on. I stop and I show the CHP officer my earpiece, and that I was using that. He tells he he does not know what it is.!!! or rather refuses to know what it is !!! All he talks about is I need to drive with 2 hands on the wheel ... So WTF am I suppose to do. I have never had a ticket all my life !! ( Accidents yes tickets NO )
I figure always a first time... $20 may not be so bad..
I get $132 no explanation of the fees. I check the Uniform Bail Code PDF and I see sample calc of $76 I dont know what fuzzy math is used to coem up with this amount. I thought I would fight this.. But reading that everyon se else it seems all of us are getting scrwd-ovr and in my case its the technicality!!

Next time I get a call for donation I am going to have a serious talk with the guy on the other end of the line..

Get your pitch forks ready... !!!

Cell phone ticket $138 Folsom CA 1st offence!

Have a Palm 750 treo with speeker phone. Yep, and I was only holdling the phone with speeker on. Additonally, my nephew had emergency heart surgury that morning and a peer had emergency kideny surgury to be removed: both that morning and calls were coming in to give me most needed updates...I explained this to the police, but he said, "Sorry, you were holding the phone. That's against the law." First-time offence should be $20, but, you guessed it, a ticket for $138 arrived WTF?

CA so freeking broke they go after law abiding citizens... get this.. I had a little work done by my property in Orangevale- right of way. Wide open space.. to remove 1.5 yards of dirt. Two days later, with four trucks, a bob cat and 8 laborors.. it is still not finnished. Second day.. they pulled with four trucks at 7:15.. by 10:00 they still did not have the bob cat off (which I spent 12 years in construction- this project needed two guys with a shovel for about 4 hours to comlete) and they were all standig aroung BS'ing.

Freeking out rage of out tax payers dollar... More TEA PARTIES!!!

I just called the traffic division to ask about my 132.00 ticket for first time cell phone offense. She said "that's right...132.00...whoever told you differently didn't have the facts right. It has never been 20.00." whatever. Plus a judge I know personally advised me NOT to waste my time going to court. whatever.

OK - got the CV 23123(a) ticket. Below is what I'm doing. Hope it helps someone else.

It was morning, and I was punching in a number on my blackberry. The blackberry is handsfree talk / listen, as is my bluetooth speaker that is mounted right over the visor. Cop sees me holding the blackberry and punching in the number...and before I hit send: woo woo go the lights and over I go. Tried explaining I wasn't "on the phone", and pointed to the speaker phone. He barks at me and tells me "there is no way you're talking your way out of this, so just be quiet".

Here's the deal:
1) The actual code for CV23123(a) states "A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving." I have pulled my cell phone records and can prove I was not on the phone at the the time of ticket. The first call that my phone was involved in on that date was a good 40 minutes after the cop ticketed me.

2) The phone I used is configured for hands-free use. I have pulled the manufacturer's specs to prove this. It was no where near my ear. I was typing the phone number into it, the officer saw it in my hand.

3) I had a bluetooth speaker over my visor, in plain sight of the cop. This speaker adds an additional layer of "handsfree". I am bringing that speaker to court.

4) Lastly, as many of you have pointed out - dialing a phone is NOT a violation of 23123. The code prohibits talking and listening in a manner that is not handsfree. Not dialing.

5) On the offchance the cop tries to argue "you were texting", my response is that he charged me with 23123(a) (the cell phone talking code), not 23123.5 - which is the texting code. He can't change what he charged me with after the fact.

So - I am all set to argue my case that I did not violate 23123(a). Here's what I've done on court logistics:
1. First - wait for your notice to appear. If after 3-4 weeks it does NOT appear, call and go online to look it up. Once you get the notice, go (in person) to the traffic clerk to sign up for an arraignment appearance in lieu of posting bail. DO THIS. I bought an extra 6 weeks (on top of the 6 weeks already spent) this way. You can also to Trial By Written Declaration - but my case was sticky. I have an old address on my driver's license, and all of the ticket notices went there. I started getting scared when I couldn't do the automated phone system (after 6 weeks the citation STILL hadn't appeared in the system), so I went there in person.

2. On the day of the arraignment (3 mos after the ticket), they told me that because the officer did not submit his side of the story in writing and was not present - I had 2 choices: traffic school or formal trial. I could do traffic school...but dammit, why pay a school $300 and then the Gov $200 for a violation that I did not commit?? It's become a matter of principle. So I took the formal trial option. They set the trial date for SIX MONTHS later. Holy cow! It's highly unlikely the cop will show, and if he does - he probably won't remember what took place 9 months earlier on a routine traffic stop.

3. I have all of my evidence (cell phone records, phone specifications) neatly organized and put into a folder, and I am waiting for my trial date later this fall.

I would love to hear from anyone that's fought CV 23123 with a similar defense, what's working and what isn't?

LOVED the fact that the cop that pulled me over told me, "Nothing to get worked up about, it's a $20.00 ticket and no point will appear on your driving record." Got my ticket in the mail today and it's official, I'm part of the $132 dollar club! Big FU to the cop that pulled me over, and a bigger FU to the state of California for squeezing their constituents for all they've got. Kudos to all that fight their tickets. The fat cop will get TONS of donuts with that bonus he earned from our fines. THANK YOU Arnold Schwarzenegger, you are doing a bang up job.

They knew everyone!! is doing it so why not enforce it and start collecting...people get into accidents for other stupid thigs give me a break a got rear ended she wasn't on the phone she was just NOT!!! paying attention

My citation is $141.00 in Yolo County together with a $25.00 administration fee. The law clearly states $20.00 first offense, $76.00 first offense with other
violations on the citation and $190.00 for the second violation. In my case, my first offence but I was also cited for failure to provide proof of insurance (my fiance carries his insurance card in his wallet and I was driving his vehicle) so $76.00 plus $25.00 administration fee does not total $166.00 that I have to pay.
I am more than willing to pay the fine for my violation - as the law states - but I would like to know who decided to add the arbitrary fees and who decided what those arbitrary fees would be that have been added to the fine, especially considering they seem to be vary according to each County.
Isn't there someone whom we may consult to file a class action suit against the Superior Court of whatever County for failure to comply with VC 23123 and VC 23124 which sets forth the fine for violation of these vehicle codes? I would think that some public advocate would love to take on this cause.

I was stopped today by a CHP Officer. He claimed he stopped me for illegally using a cell phone while I was driving. I was not, although I did have a cell phone in my jeans pocket. He said thank you and allowed me to go. So LADIES, be careful playing with your hair or earrings......or just make a CHP's day and drive around with your big cheeseburger stuck in your ear!! :))))) They can then waste time stopping you that could be put to better use.

Just got a ticket for using cellphone while driving. On the ticket, there is an option to go to traffic school. Is it needed if it does not affect the point and insurance?

thanks

Who ever said that using my cell phone while driving and getting caught would only be $20 if full of sh#*! I got my first ticket and it's going to cost me $122.00
and i might even receive a point on my driving record plus my insurance might go up. the letter also states that if i want to take traffic school i have to pay an additional $64.00. I cant afford to pay the ticket let alone pay for traffic school. So if anyone wants to call me and my phone goes straight to voice mail it's because I'M FUCKING DRIVING so leave a message!

What you are telling people is not true. My son just got a ticket for first time use of his cell phone while driving and the bell amount is $132.00. So there is not such things as $20.00 $50.00 or $76.00. Thought you should know this. Thanks

I received a $256 fine for my talking on cell while driving for the very first time, just want to say the cop was a real ASSO!!!!!
I'm definitely fighting it, all the way!

got my first cell phone ticket.
got a letter from the court and am being charged 132 dollars. vehicle code 23123(a) as listed on DMv/sacramento states that first offense is 20.00 and additional offenses are 50.00. This is actually law.
why the heck am I being charged 132???
would appreciate feedback. I don't mind paying the 132.00.
Even when news reports aired about this law taking effect local newsports reported that 20.00 for first offense and 50.00 for offenses thereafter.
hmmm............

In Glendale, got a citation 2009, and it is $131 I was on the speaker phone, but holding the iPhone in my hand, away from my ear.

The 20 dollar price for the first infraction is not correct. I just recieved a ticket for one and its $107! and will double everytime after that. SO BEWARE! I live in san luis obispo county in CA.

I live in San Diego and I am a Truck Driver for a construction material company. My duty is to drive to Los Angeles to our corporate office to transfer any material needed for our San Diego division. Before I LEAVE Los Angeles I call my San Diego Dispatcher on my company phone confirming I am ready to leave which was 10:45am which was one call I recently made on my company phone and also 8:15am on my personal phone talking with my wife earlier that morning. I am driving south on interstate 5 around the Santa Ana area at 11:15am. I notice a police car up ahead off the right shoulder of the road and as I pass the police car I simply adjust my sony ear phone ONLY on my right ear that is plugged into my phone as a substitution for a blue tooth. Instantly I am being followed by the police man and he turns on his sirens and I am screwed. But “FOR WHAT!?” I ask myself……???????? I was driving the speed limit, my load was secured and I definitely know I didn’t cut anyone off no reckless driving whatsoever comes to mind….!?I am clueless!?. He approach’s my car and accuses me of talking on my cell phone while driving. I demonstrated that I use this sony ear phone that was attached to my cell phone as a substitution for a blue tooth ONLY on my right ear and that he mistaken me when I adjusted my ear phone that it looked to be like a cell phone when I secured my ear piece. I offered to show him my personal phone and my company phone that I made no phone calls relating to the time of this accusation. But he clearly denies what I say and writes me up a ticket for talking on my cell phone. So before he was done writing me up I wanted to confirm with him that it is alright to talk on my cell phone using this ear piece ONLY on my right ear as a substitution as a blue tooth and he said “YES” and that is what I did. Since I got no where talking to him I accepted the ticket. So since this happened yesterday I notified my personal cell phone carrier my company phone carrier to send me a detail description of my phone activity showing evidence I did not make any phone calls during the time of the citation. I mentioned earlier that I made a phone call to my dispatcher at 10:45am from Los Angeles at my CORPORATE OFFICE on my company phone and with carrier giving me detail description with talking duration time will show that the phone call was at least 2 minutes long showing evidence that it cannot match around the time of my accusation and on the other hand talking on my personal phone at 8:15 am obviously cannot overlap the time of the accusation. I will contest this ticket with the evidence I have and I will give a update of the outcome.

I got my first ticket, but had just made a right on something that should've been a Yield sign, but was actually a Stop sign that I blew through (totally safe, though). I also didn't have my seatbelt, so took the ticket and kept my mouth shut in the copper was aware of any of the other infractions. I have yet to find out how much it is, but as a student of common sense, know that the most dangerous thing about cell phones and driving are texting (not illegal) and dialing. You can smoke a cigarette while driving or just keep one hand on the wheel. The law doesn't help anything except fill the coffer with more shakedown fine moeny. But, the irony is that (a couple other posts say the same) I'll not be donating to the PBA, or any city/state funded charities ever again. So, enjoy my first offense ticket money. You'll be missing out on 10X that amount of money annually. Also, looking for CD's under the backseat is more dangerous, chnaging your shirt while driving is more dangerous, many other things are more dangerous, yet none are illegal. It seems that this law was passed becasue cell phones are so prominent that it was a guaranteed money maker. here's the thing, though - the state could provide a service that actually makes money for once. Something like useful public transportation. Don't forget, we voted you into office and can give you a riotous revolution and just as quickly take you out.

Just got the ticket in the mail today, $142 is the bail amount. I was only ticketed for talking on my cell, nothing else. Ridiculous. Curious if anyone has attempted fighting it in court and if the judge had any leniency?

My son was on my cell, terminated the call, then handed it to me at which time I passed an officer. Needless to say I was pulled over and given a ticket. The motorcycle officer told me he didn't agree with the law, but he still has to give me the ticket. My response: "even though I don't agree with this ticket I'll have to make this my last donation to the police association charity fund!"

Here is the breakdown for the $138 ticket. Base Fine $20 Penalty Assessment $44 State Court Facilities $4 Night Court Fee $1 DMV Fee $10 20% Criminal Charge $10 Criminal Conviction Assessment $35 Court Security Fee $20.

A $20 citation will cost 6x's. Absolutely unbelievable.

We voted for those clowns. We certainly can't complain.

Yep got a ticket today for cell phone use while driving a car. Shame on me I had the wire plug-in for the phone with me but was in a hurry and forgot to plug it in. Phone rang and on instinct I picked it up and immediately got a ticket from a passing cop. OK my bad.

The curious thing is the cop never ask to see the cell phone which I put in my pocket to hide out of shame. However on the ticket it has the color and model of the cell phone. I can't believe he saw all this while passing by at 45 mph in the pouring rain. Yes, I am not lying it was raining. So someone tell me if its possible for law enforcement to run your name and see if you have a Cell Phone account? I know I am reaching here, but its kinda weird he would know that.

I got a ticket for talking on the cell phone ($132 after all fees) , I'm not trying to contest it or anything. I just want to know if appearing in court is mandatory. I don't really want to, but I hear these tickets aren't like regular traffic violations where you pay the fine and have an option for traffic school. Could someone please give me some insight on as to how I can take care of this and/or get the citation off of my previously untarnished driving record?

i should say i'm guilty using the phone for a very few seconds, like 30 the most when i picked up a call approaching a red light onto the 210 fwy in san dimas. then a cop showed up like a ghost behind me. pulled me over, politely i said, it was an important call i had take and i was using the speaker phone device... cop said; doesn't matter. yup! nothing matters to them, because whatever you say really means nothing to them.. they're trained be deaf and heartless. even if it takes away food from your table. i earned 54 bucks that day and i got fined for 132.00 first offense!! someday i want to be a cop to make easy money or a burglar to make...what else...easy money! thought of contesting this but after reading the thread, likely i won't because they need funds. clearly, this is just money-making law.

Did anyone successfully contest their first cell phone citation ticket and end up paying less than bail amount? If so, how did you do that?

Got mine in Upland, Claremont area. I wonder if it went up because I got a fix it ticket as well for tinted windows in the front. Next time, i'm not going to hang up, either that, carry an electric shaver with me. "no officer, i was shaving"

Yep, and I was only hopdling the phone to try to connect it to my headset...it wasn't connecting, so I kept trying. I explained this to the police, but they said, "Sorry, you were holding the phone. That's against the law." First-time offence should be $20, but, you guessed it, a ticket for $132 arrived in my mail. They never mention the hidden costs, which I am assuming are what ran the fee up so high.

My last traffic problem occurred when I went for a donut. This time I was out for a coffee. Remember, when as a child, the use of a car was off limits? Stop making unneccessary trips! Remember in Will Smith's "Seven Pounds" movie the car accident that kiled his family was caused by him texting while driving.

I am over 50, first time cel ticket, first time ticket in years and years, reached out of habit, oops, picked up sat it down on my lap, and at light stopped picked it up to say I was in the car could not talk. It was a slow traffic area, guess I will remember now! by the way thought I would update cost of first time in riverside county, $141.00!!

It seems that the different costs of the phone tickets is the same old BS government we all have come to love. The Double Standard hard at work. I do think that driving while talking is dangerous, my daughter and my grandson were almost killed because of that. If you have a state wide mandate then make it the same cost.

I just received the letter from the court to pay my first cell phone ticket....God I will never answer that phone again while driving because the conversation cost me $132.00. This ticket was from two police officers in La Mesa, CA . This town really needs the money I guess. What a rip off. I hate my corrupt California gov't. I thought I was only going to be charged "like a parking ticket" the officer said. He also seemed to take forever just to write the ticket. What is with that control crap?

well, i got a ticket on sep22, n i was scheduled to go in on nov 27 something like that so i did then the court clerk said there was no ticket with my name so i left the court room vacations came around i told my best friend to check it for me she did we have the paper work stating that my infraction was still not listed in the computer... so today i go to the dmw to see if i can change my add on my license the girl there tells me u cant u have a hold u didnt pay an infractin u have a FTA/FTP failure to appear and failure to pay... so i go to the court the court sais yeah its here and ur case was sent to collections NOW THIS IS BULLCRAP.....

Sounds like most everything has been said. I'm just verifying that it's $93 bail in Los Angeles County. I got my ticket in Hollywood in December. The Cop told me it would be $20, for a first ticket, when I made my point that traffic wasn't moving.....I was caught up in traffic on Hollywood blvd. My Sitter called and I answered the phone, to confirm I was on my way home, less than 15 second call!! Traffic never moved, in the direction I was traveling. However a cop passed on the otherside and flipped a U turn, endagering others just to pull me over, once we started moving. Yes I answered the phone, No I wasn't moving when I answered it!!! This is no different than pulling over and talking on the phone. I'm going to court and fight it. The officer was wrong, and unsafe. What I did wasn't. I'm very judicious on my cell use.

I also got my first cell phone ticket in the mail in the amount of $93 dollars. What cracks me up about the whole thing is that on the 8PM news they advertise it as a $20 dollar fine and how the first time isn't a big deal when in reality you will pay $100 after all the taxes and court fees. Nice way to #### everyone over and suck you into still using the phone thinking $20 bucks isnt much and take your chances when in reality they know you will pay 100s and for 2nd violation its over $200 not $50 dollars by the way. Our law enforcement system is a complete joke and they are just finding more and more ways to steal money from you to support the crap they call law. get a life and stop robbing people already

I was driving and itching my ear.. I guess the officer couldn't see that's what I was doing and gave me a ticket! I plan to fight it and take in my cell phone bill to show I was not using my phone! People drive with one hand all the time what's the difference? Soo dumb.

RAise the fine so that we can close the budget gap. Before cellphones became widespread, people were still driving. Break the law if you must, but be prepared for the consequences and quit all your whining.

I have a friend whose sister was hospitalized (emergency room admission), and when he received this emergency call on his cell phone, a cop pulled him over to write him a ticket. He is on total disability, has no income beyond the basic $864 monthly, and now he is expected to pay a $128 total fine. Is there anyone out there who knows how he could fight this? He has a copy of his sister's hospital admission papers...will this help him, and if not, is there any way to bargain it down?

can someone help me with this- Im 17 and got a cell phone ticket. some people say the ticket is 50 dollars some say its 130 dollars (all taxes and the other fees included.) So how much is the real fine with all the taxes?

Here's the deal.. police officers, etc are exempt from the law. They are also allowed to use their police computer, with monitor while driving. I would like to know if they receive special training to use this equipment (including the cell phone), and if so, why can a citizen not receive the same training? I imagine their cell phone exemption allows them to use the phone for official purposes only - however, I would bet everything I have that most officers abuse their exemption and receive/make calls to family, friends, etc.

It's a dumb law & the only real purpose is to have another reason to be able to pull you over to find something else they can fine you for.

California doesn't deserve your tax dollars. Move.

ON NOVEMBER 17TH, I GOT ILLEGAL TRAFFIC TICKET WHILE DRIVING ON NORTHBOUND 110 FREEWAY, THE SHERIFF STOPPED ON ME SAYING I DROVE A VEHICLE WITH A CELL PHONE. I TOLD THE OFFICER, I AM DEAF AND NEVER USED A CELL PHONE ALL MY LIFE, THE OFFICER IGNORED ME AND GAVE ME A TICKET ANYWAY.

ANYWAY TO KNOW WHAT AM SUPPOSE TO DO WITHT THIS ILLEGAL TICKET? WHY NOT OFFICER ISSUE ALL THE DRIVER WHO DRIVE WITHOUT A CELL PHONE AND SEE HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT IT.

It is great things to prevent accident on road while driving. If a people talk with their cell phones while driving they can not control their speed or better driving. Even Indian Government has announced that from the August 2008 if a person sending SMS while driving will pay 1500 INR for that.

Looking for advice as how to take care of my ticket...fine amount was $135.00/ San Diego Calif. 1st time ticket. Should I make the officer appear in court? Should I appear in court and ask for leniency? Any helpful tips from your experiences??? Thanks!

I was upset when I heard that the fine would only be $20. I am so glad to hear that it is more for all of the idiots who think they don't need to pay attention when they drive. You knew it was a law. You broke that law. Personal responsibility needs to make a comeback in this country. I just wish every knew of the extra fines. Maybe it would discourage some of these irresponsible, discourteous and selfish drivers. I say we should make them higher.

Driving almost 20 years without a ticket.

I went to court and plead guilty. the judge sentenced me to pay $68. But I wonder if I had plead no contest would that have reduced or increase the fine?

I also got a ticket with the Bail amount as $100. When you guys say go to court do you mean you are going to contest?

These amounts are totally arbitrary, aren't they?

My wife forgot and got a ticket. I was mad until I saw on the DMV's website that the cost for the 1st infraction was only $20. Then she gets the bill in the mail and it is $101.20! I nearly hit the roof. What is this crap?! The assessments cause the ticket to go up 5 times as much! I told her to go to court and not pay the bail. This is just outrageous and everyone should protest this type of "stick it to you" government agency. What happens if the citing officer doesn't show?

Bad news. The "bail" amount sent in the mail is actually the total of all the taxes and court costs associated with the ticket. Basically, this was just told to me: "Everyone is going to get a piece of that bail. The city, the court, the issuing police department. You can appear in court, but you won't get that money back. There is no such thing as a $20 cell phone ticket." That's just the base set by the state for first time offenders before taxes and fees are assessed.

This is ridiculous! Why they are billing us theese ridiculous bails when it clearly states that they can only charge $20?
#### them!

That's the bail amount for my first violation in San Bernardino County, California. I'd prefer to pay bail rather than go to court but $103 is BS, so I'll go to court and pay the $20 to $70 for the infraction.

The tendency is really good. All countries in Europe have same laws, hope all states of America will join our state in banning the use of mobile phones with the hands while driving.
The fine should be much more i think. Then one could even have no ability to compare the price of a hands-free and a fine.

Orange County - California
I have just received a letter from the court for my cell phone violation. ALthough the police officer said that it would be like ay most $40 or so, my bail amount is $100.00. I will go to the court to discuss this later on today. I will update you what happens.

Got a ticket for that, but the price is $92.50. Althouh it's my 1st ticket I've ever had. That's wierd, according to what it says about the bail.