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Steven B
Lv 6
Steven B asked in Politics & GovernmentLaw & Ethics · 1 decade ago

What can I do If I am overcharged for a ticket? (California)?

At the beginning of the month, I was given a ticket for Fare Evasion, (not paying the $1.25 fare to use the bus). (This is a first offense, mind you)

I have been waiting all month for them to process the ticket and send me something in the mail. When I finally called in, I found the ticket was for a ridiculous $282 plus a $7.50 processing fee.

My grandma already paid the ticket on her credit card, but after I looked into California state Penal code, Section 640, part b1, the fee is to not be in excess of $250. So now, whoever is in charge of issuing this fine(the police, or city, I presume), has twisted the law to swindle me out of more of my money.

What actions can I take to straighten this out, after already paying this fine? If I were to go to court, would they just pay me the difference, or would they be more accountable? As far as I know, one of my rights as an American is not to be subjected to such excessive fines (especially as it is clearly written in the California code), and I don't think whoever has issued this fine should be let off so lightly!

Update:

Thanks for that info songbyrd, I will look into it.

And to address your very rude statement varnold, I intended to save my money to pay this fee myself. My grandma paid it on her credit card without telling me first. Sometimes she's just too generous.

4 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Actually, songbyrd was underestimating the amount added to fines in California. (The additional penalty assessments go to many places, including night court support, courthouse construction, the state general fund, etc.) The fees add about 250% or more to the fine. I would estimate that your base fine was $75, which is well below the maximum $250 (a $250 fine would cost you around $950!). BTW, the added assessments are increasing next year.

    Source(s): 30+ years as a criminal defense attorney
  • Songbyrd JPA ✡
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    There are extra fees. Your ticket was for about $110. Add to that is 170% fee for the state. I kid you not.

    If your read 1157b H&S you will see the fine is not more than $100 and when you plea to it you pay $270.

    The minimum for a DUI is $390, so if you get the minimum you will pay about $1,400. Get on with your life and don't sweat what you can't do anything about. Oh, yeah, pay the fare after this.

    Source(s): s
  • varnold
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    They didn't swindle you out of anything. You swindled your grandmother out of $289.50 and the $1.25 bus fare.

    I hope you get ZERO. Because you sound like you wouldn't pay your grandmother back if you got a dime back

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Try to fight it.

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