In April 2009, while in Los Angeles for meetings, I found myself caught in a sting. Maybe not really a sting, but the red light camera flashed as I drove through an intersection in Beverly Hills. Months later, the rental car company gave me up, and a summons arrived in the mail along with photos of me in said car, a link to a video of me in said car, and a fine of $435. A fine of $435 for going through a yellow/red light. I was, after all, in Beverly Hills, but $435! I’m not condoning reckless driving or making light of a dangerous violation. I’m noting that $435 is a lot of loot. $435 could help Haiti, save a tree, bring books to a school, support a candidate against prop 8. How can California be in such financial straits with a cash cow like this? The amount seems arbitrary. Why not make it $1,000? Either is extortion.
When the summons arrived, The Suitor was none too pleased and vowed not to go down without a fight. He licked a stamp and marked "Request a trial by mail." What follows is his letter of defense for me in this matter. For months as we continued to look for updates on the Beverly Hills Courthouse website it would only say "Stay Of Execution" as we awaited our fate. STAY OF EXECUTION! I kept thinking of The Green Mile.
"Your Honor,
I declare under penalty of perjury that this statement is true and correct.
Please accept this declaration as a statement of my plea of ‘Not Guilty” for citation XXXXXXXXX. I have been charged with ignoring a red light signal to stop. This ticket was issued due to a camera taping me driving. I humbly submit that there are numerous reasons why this violation should be dismissed with a not guilty verdict. I will outline in bullet form below:
· As you can see in the video, it is not clear to me that I was driving through the yellow or the red light. My determination is the yellow light was showing at the time of passing through the intersection.
· Proof of my belief there was a yellow light AND that I had no intent on “beating the light,” you see I did not accelerate the car at all. I was looking ahead paying attention to my driving at a consistent and lawful speed.
· I am just a Texan visiting California driving a rented car. In my town where I frequently drive, the transition from yellow to red light is 5 seconds. I believe your intersection provided a significantly shorter duration which I had no reasonable expectation of having to make a decision to slam on the breaks.
· I have never had a driving violation, and I take driving safety very seriously.
Again, I thank you for your time and open mind in reading this declaration of “Not Guilty.” I enjoyed my visit to your state and welcome many lawful and fun visits in the future. I am now put on notice regarding your local traffic customs.
Sincerely,"
TEN MONTHS LATER, a yellow form letter appeared in our mailbox: "People Of The State Of California vs. Klein, Stephanie. The court finds the defendant GUILTY. Fine $435. If you wish to request a new trial, you must submit Form TR-220 within 20 days."
Put the pen down Phil. Don’t go through this red light…
Drafting letters like this one, arguing with insurance companies, haggling… *this* is what excites Phil. Thrills Phil. He actually takes enormous pleasure in tasks like this one. Me? I would have sent in the check with a box marked GUILTY. Then in parenthasis might have written (eek, sorry!). Unlikely, though.
