Thread started by machinedrum at 02.21.11 - 2:56 am


hey I got a ticket tonight at 7:35 p on stewart st and olympic in santa monica.
its a quiet little dead part of olympic right before you get to west la on bundy and olympic.
I got a ticket for riding my bike on the sidewalk and the cops were dikks.
they harassed me and one of them grabbed me and acted like he was going to kick my ass.
anyway my question is:
should i fight this ticket? there is no bike lane, and there are no signs that say no bikes on sidewalk.
and also i dont know if i can pay the bail=$250.00, is there another way i can fight it without paying the bail?
what happends if i dont pay the bail?
what if i cant afford to pay the bail? im somewhat broke right now.
all i can say is santa monica cops are the biggest douche bags and your better off being nice to them or they will fukk you over.

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Look at the law you were cited for. Were you breaking the law?
Probably something like no riding on the sidewalk in a business zone.

If you did not break the law, fight it.
If you broke the law, stop whining, or fight to change the law.



revolution
02.21.11 - 7:05 am

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I was just riding in Santa Monica yesterday and there were signs on every block prohibiting bikes on sidewalks. I think it would be tough to fight the ticket but it wouldn't hurt to try…$250 is a lot of money!!



AirCooled
02.21.11 - 7:44 am

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i dont think you can get the fine dropped but you might be able to get it reduced or at least set up a payment plan.

awhile back i got a redlight ticket (totally my fault) but i knew i wasnt able to pay the whole amount at once (i was a broke ass student). i saw the judge and told him "honestly, hey, i can't pay this, i have school stuff, bills, etc. this is too much for me, can i do payments or get this reduced?" and he dropped it to 150.

i think its worth a try.

if ur doing the best u can, theyre not gonna penalize you more for it. and the judge may see that its a retarded ticket anyway.

just play dumb, "but sir, i had no idea i couldnt ride on the sidewalk. it's not like i have to go to driver's ed for bikes."



KiMS1
02.21.11 - 8:08 am

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this from Gary K of Gary Rides Bikes (sorry forget his ridazz handle) via bikinginla:

While yes, a cyclist riding on the sidewalk in Santa Monica is in the wrong—outside Santa Monica the rules are more fuzzy, which adds much confusion—



champagne
02.21.11 - 11:29 am

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I fight all my tickets! Regardless if I'm guilty or not! And the outcome is always better than laying down and taking it...



Debut213
02.21.11 - 11:37 am

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There are many threads here on M.R. detailing how to fight a ticket...

AT THE VERY LEAST:
log into www.lasuperiorcourt.org in about a week or 2 (give the system time to input it) and get the 2 month extension. then about 2 weeks before the due date, request to contest it via a written declaration. It's all very simple. include pictures of the street you were cited on and tell your side of the story....this whole process so far will push it along 4 months or so...if you lose the written declaration, you can still see a judge. Then you hope the officer doesn't show up for the court date...and a bike riding on the sidewalk citation is probably one he's not gonna lose sleep over if he decides not to show up.

drunk driving yes....bike on sidewalk probably not.

put this stuff on a calendar...don't miss any due dates...if you are found guilty, like they said above....plead poverty and it'll probably get reduced or maybe even community service...



barleye
02.21.11 - 11:53 am

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HI Machinedrum,

I can not comment on Santa Mionica but in general in works like this:

1. Regardless of whether you fight the ticket or not you have to pay the bail ahead of time. If you win it will be reimbursed.

2. If you do not take care of the ticket there could be a warrant issued for your arrest.

3. You can try and fight the ticket and may take this apporach if you happen to live in the City of Los Angeles...."Sir, the City of Los Angeles allows a persosn to ride on the sidewalk, because I do not live in Santa Monica I was not aware that the rules are different and there were no signs advising me that I was not allowed to do likewise in SM."

Godd luck.

David




Sgt. David Krumer
02.21.11 - 11:54 am

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Thank you.
I do not live in santa monica. so this helps. But what i forgot to mention is the way the officers handled the situation. When i came onto the sidewalk they pulled up on the side of me and said hey how are you? then they proceded to ask me where i was going what i was doing where i was coming from. Nothing about me riding my bike on the sidewalk. I got angry and said ok is there something you guys want? and they both got out of the car. one of the officers grabbed me and put me in handcuffs while threatning me and talking down to me. I have respect for anyone that treats me with respect but when cops pull you over with any reason but to harass you and then later say "oh you were riding your bike on the sidewalk" it makes they come off as cops that are on a power trip with nothing better to do but harass a young guy at night. I appreciate your info. Im going to fight it. Also three other guys were riding there bikes on the sidewalk as they were giving me a ticket and they let them go with a warning.



machinedrum
responding to a comment by Sgt. David Krumer
02.21.11 - 6:29 pm

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