Yes. I am making that a priority.

Looked at the ticket again- not only is that amount written in, it is also the PRINTED amount listed next to the offense. $35 plus $6.20 surcharge.

So not only would he be claiming the amount is written wrong but the form is also wrong?

I don't think it makes a difference.

Fines were increased since the ticket was printed (the pre-printed part: not what the cop wrote).

Signs on freeways in California still say a carpool lane offense is $271.


The current fine is $1,068. The signs are everywhere, and no, you won't get away with paying $271.

Most freeway signs I've seen have been updated to read that the fine is in the mid $300 range. I thought it was $341, but it doesn't jive with what I am reading in my research right now.

I attempted to find something in the vehicle code about fines but have been unsuccessful so far. However, both Snopes and UrbanLegends.com both say that the $1,000+ fine is a bunch of hooey.



ETA: the published minimum fine for carpool lane violation in Orange County is $341.

I give up on the search. I do know that the HOV section of the CVC is 21655.5(b). Beyond that, I can't locate the fine.

I think he just wanted a date

He was an older guy- likely not a rookie cop and no, he did not even attempt to hit on me- lol

I think I do know how this happened though.

He called me again last night around 9:15pm. Told me he had been thinking about it all night and decided since it was his mistake that I could send it in at the $41.

I thanked him for that- and then it hit me and I asked- do you work nights?

Yes, he works graveyard. We chatted about the ticket. I told him I was very careful at the stop sign and asked if it was him sitting there yesterday morning- and it was (and since he did not pull me over I guess I did it right this time)-

I suspect that when he gave me the ticket it was the end of his shift- when he came in that night he saw the error and called me- because it was the start of his "day".

So- issue resolved. I will send in the discounted fine and all is well.

Thanks for all the advice!

Is he cute?