spectating street racing ticket california

Additionally if you have a medical condition which may cause you to drive faster than intended it may also be used as evidence that you did not engage in willful speed racing. He has extensive experience both in the. Proving prior knowledge of someone else's burnout in that kind of situation would be challenging in court. 3. If you are watching a street racing event or are present at a location where preparations for such an event take place, you are considered a spectator, and according to California law you are still liable for a potential citation. According toLos Angeles DUI defense attorneyJohn Murray29: It is very common for defendants charged with driving under the influence to negotiate the charges down to exhibition of speed as part of the California DUI plea bargaining process. Example: Charlotte is an avid motorcyclist whose husband owns a car dealership. Street racing and drag racing are crimes in California. This vehicle code essentially outlaws "street racing" and "drag racing." This sort of creative defense is normally only used with senior citizens, but we suggest contacting an attorney to see if any other legal defense can be applicable to your case. In California, where the problem is particularly widespread, the city of San Jose passed an ordinance this week making it illegal to even watch a street race or sideshow as a spectator, a crime now punishable by a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. Street Racing As Assault with a Deadly Weapon (PC 245)? Shouse Law Group has wonderful customer service. You dont need to intend to: Example: Adolfo is a first-generation college student trying hard to fit in with his new peers. a fine of between five hundred dollars ($500) and one thousand dollars ($1,000). Do not hesitate to contact us at Shouse Law Group. . We do not handle any of the following cases: And we do not handle any cases outside of California. (c) (1) Notwithstanding Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22650) or any other provision of law, an impounding agency shall release a motor vehicle to the registered owner or his or her agent prior to the conclusion of the impoundment period described in subdivision (a) under any of the following circumstances: (A) If the vehicle is a stolen vehicle. Vehicle Code 23103 VC Reckless driving, endnote 30 above. Please note: Our firm only handles criminal and DUI cases, and only in California. "If we can prevent even one injury because of this new law, then our efforts will have been worth it," Rivas said. Street racing is illegal in California, usually punishable by up to 90 days in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Street racing has certainly been made popular in recent years, but its highly illegal and can carry severe penalties if you get caught. It is possible for a person to have been completely oblivious about the street race and simply ended up at the race when the police showed up. How much is a ticket for spectating a sideshow? It all hinges on the word "knowingly," which is left to the discretion of the arresting officer. Adolfo did not intend to break the law or cause anyone any harm; he did not even really want to be involved with the race. In Colorado? In fact, people charged with first offense racing face up to six months in jail and a fine of about $2,000, and a one year license suspension. He welcomed my input and my concerns. Anyone who engages, aids or participates in a street race violates CA laws and may get punished under the same laws. LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- State officials are hoping to crackdown on illegal street racing, and reckless driving, with new legislation aimed at increasing penalties for those involved in these activities. Anyone who's ever attended a car meetfrom formal Cars & Coffee-style events to a casual owners gatheringknows that it just takes one or two idiots to spoil it for everyone. This site uses different types of cookies. As used in this section, a motor vehicle speed contest includes a motor vehicle race against another vehicle, a clock, or other timing device. In California, where the problem is particularly widespread, the city of San Jose passed an ordinance this week making it illegal to even watch a street race or sideshow as a spectator, a crime. The information on this Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Greg then went to the Compton Superior Courthouse for the arraignment, a bit worried because he had no presents for the prosecutor to show our client was worried about the charge and to show he was taking the case seriously. Vehicle Code 23109 a VC makes it a crime to willfully participate in a speed contest. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. 3d 505, Two groups of friends who are caravanning to a party in two separate cars start playfully competing to see which car will get there faster. 2. Vehicle Code 23109 VC Speed contests, subsection (b), endnote 1, above. Typically, motorists or motorcyclists will shut down roads and begin racing each other up the street. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. This new law was passed in an effort to curb the amount of street racing in Fort Worth, as spectators are a large draw for street racers and stunting. In case your street racing caused an injury the penalties can increase to 30 days up to 6 months in county jail, and/or a fine between $500 and $1,000. If the speed contest proximately caused bodily injury to another person, then the penalties increase to: And if the speed contest proximately causedseriousbodily injury to another person, the crime becomes what is known as a wobbler. This is an offense that may be charged as either a misdemeanororaCalifornia felony, at the prosecutors discretion.20, If it is charged as a misdemeanor, a speed contest causing serious bodily injury is punished by, Charged as a felony, a speed contest causing serious bodily injury carries a sentence of. Here are some of the new laws that affect drivers and pedestrians. Los Angeles DUI defense attorneyJohn Murrayis an expert specialist in crimes involving the California Vehicle Code, including VC 23109. Street takeovers are unfortunately nothing new for residents of Southern California. Audio from the Instagram post below is NSFW. Street takeovers are unfortunately nothing new for residents of Southern California. Please note: Our firm only handles criminal and DUI cases, and only in California. . Being accused or arrested for a crime does not necessarily mean you will be convicted in court. Any individual who is knowingly present as a spectator, either on a public street or highway or on private property open to the general public without the consent of the owner, operator, or agent thereof, at an illegal motor vehicle speed contest or illegal exhibition of speed is guilty of a misdemeanor subject to a . 811, while doing so, he willfully engaged in a speed contest. This website contains material protected under international and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. According to the ordinance, any person present as a spectator at a street race or reckless driving exhibition can face up to $500 in fines. A conviction for a speed contestcan tarnish an otherwise clean criminal record, or affect your ability to drive your car to earn a living or maintain a normal life. It includes pretty much all streets.9. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship. 10:00 AM King of the Hammers, powered by Optima Batteries: Tech & Contingency. 13.46.010) Dismissed Spectator at a Street Race (L.A.M.C. Sideshow crackdown: Under current California law, drivers who participate in illegal street races face penalties that include losing their licenses. Were sending a message that this dangerous activity is no longer acceptable.. Enhanced speed contest penalties (prior conviction; bodily injury). Learn aboutspeed contests (CRS 42-4-1105). Deputies were called to the scene about noon Friday. Police officer mistakes, faulty breathalyzers and crime lab errors may get your charges reduced or dismissed. By John Kapetaneas, Stephanie Lorenzo, and Allie Yang . But it does NOT include an event where participants measure the amount of time it takes for a vehicle to cover a given route, IF: A violation of this crime can result in jail time and/or a fine. Preparations are loosely defined to cover everything after the very first person shows up at a spotthat includes just milling around a few parked cars waiting for something to happen. Here are five you should know about. Our attorneys explain the law, penalties and best defense strategies for every major crime in California. License points for distracted driving: AB47, which took effect July 1, 2021, puts points on a driver's record for violating the hands-free driving law for a second time within 36 months. Traffic Safety: AB43 would authorize local officials to further reduce speed limits beyond the state's current parameters in situations where needed to protect pedestrians and cyclists. If you have been accused of "willfully engaging in a speed contest," prosecutors will need to prove four important elements in order to show you were guilty: You were a participant in a motor vehicle race. What crimes can be charged for street racing? Even if you are caught just watching an illegal street race, you are subject to stiff penalties for aiding and abetting street racing. police have admitted to monitoring social media. Shouse Law Group has helped many citizens get charges reduced or dismissed, and keep their records clean. You are a spectator if you watch or are present at an illegal speed contest or at a location (public street or highway, or private property) where preparations are being made for such activities, for the purpose of viewing, observing, watching, or witnessing the event as it develops. Depending on the facts of a case, it can also be charged under: As stated above, a prosecutor must prove the following to convict a defendant under this statute: For purposes of this statute, motor vehicles include: Note that this statute applies to races on highways. While this term includes most public streets, it does not apply to private property. Example: Don has been bragging to his friends about the acceleration on his new car. Racer Task Force is the account above and is a multi-agency group that works with law enforcement to crack down on street . What is the maximum fine for a driver caught and convicted for street racing? Definitely recommend! The ticket, which he signed to avoid being arrested and taken into the Compton Sheriffs station by the CHP was for violating Los Angeles Municipal Code 13.46.010, which the City of Carson is active in issuing because of a few recent accidents involving street racing. Any unauthorized reproduction or use of this material is prohibited. As Eyewitness News reported earlier this year, tribes said the state was requiring them to go through a longer process to get permission to operate ambulances than most cities and counties go through. Its unclear who exactly operates the Street Racer Task Force Instagram account, but police have admitted to monitoring social media in the past to look out for illegal takeovers.