Speed Contest Ticket - California

Pulled over and given a ticket for: speed contest, no insurance, +115mph.
I do have insurance, just couldn't find the card. He didn't clock me, he was following the other guy. The officer told me I would have to get a lawyer.
Do I need a lawyer?
What are the possible penalties?

California Speeding Fines - DMV.ORG

It depends on your age, your priors, etc. You are not required to hire an attorney, but street racing in california is a pretty serious offense. You are fortunate no one was hurt.

What were you driving? A Honda?
Speed Contests
What Happens if I Speed Race?
The following are some of the penalties you can face if you street race:

• Be arrested and have your vehicle impounded for 30 days.
• Be imprisoned for up to three months if convicted of street racing, or aiding or abetting a street race.
• Be fined for up to $1,000.
• Have your driver license revoked.
• Have your vehicle's insurance canceled or premiums dramatically increased.
• Have equipment violations issued.

NOTE: Spectators are also subject to the same penalties.
Street Racing Blamed for Death of a Driver
A man died due to speed racing when he lost control of his car.
"We have no idea at this point why he lost control, other than high speed" the report indicates.
The car went onto the sidewalk and hit a bystander, burst into flames after hitting two light poles, a fire hydrant, a water utility box, three or four trees, and a large truck at a nearby storage facility. The County coroner's office identified the dead racer the morning after the accident; the other two racers left the area after the crash, and were charged with felony reckless driving.
The accident occurred in a vehicle the victim had bought just a month before.
"We have individuals buying high performance cars and they don't have experience driving them. They don't know how the car handles," the report stated.
Authorities Impound 60 Cars in a Street-racing Sting
Law enforcement officials towed 60 cars away for 30-day impounds in a sting operation that involved six different law enforcement agencies. Among one of the first impounded vehicles was a 1971 Chevrolet Camaro that was videotaped racing by undercover officers earlier in the night. Authorities said their goal was to stop the illegal racing before someone was killed.
Some parents received phone calls in the middle of the night to retrieve their vehicles or their children. One mother stated "She was supposed to be at a friend's house playing pool" referring to her 17-year-old daughter. Another mother also expressed her disappointment in her 17-year-old son's judgment "He shouldn't have been here watching this," she said. "He was at the wrong place."
In addition to the speed racing, officers said, some participants engage in a dangerous activity known as "sideshows" (driving in circles, drivers spin doughnuts at high speed inside a parking lot and burn rubber).
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), if a vehicle is impounded for speed racing, the towing, storage, and possible lien fees can bring the cost up to $1,100.

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As an owner of several high performance Corvettes, I understand the thrill of racing. However, you need to understand you are wielding a deadly weapon that can claim a life in the blink of an eye. Perhaps this information will assist you in making decisions in the future regarding speeding/racing.

Track Racing
Street racing is growing in popularity and continues to claim lives. If you enjoy speed racing, do it the legal way - race on the track and not on the street. Drag racing (racing on the track) is probably the simplest, easy-to-understand form of motorsports. Explained in simple terms, you line up two cars side by side, signal "go," and each driver steps on the accelerator to see which driver, which engine, and which car is the quickest.
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has more than 140 tracks in North America. The minimum requirements are usually:

• A valid driver license
• Valid vehicle registration and insurance
• DOT-approved street legal tires
• Seat belts
• Muffler

For more information or to find the NHRA track in your area, or contact:

National Hot Rod Association

2035 Financial Way

Glendora, CA 91741

PH (626) 914-4761

FX (626) 963-5360

The Bottom Line
A car is a deadly weapon if used recklessly. If you choose to drive recklessly, you could be jailed, be fatally injured, or take someone's life; perhaps, the life of someone you love, or your own.
Be responsible, drive safely!

This information may be of some use to you: Fighting a Traffic Ticket Lawyers

Grace, I am wondering why you said this. It has no relevance what this poster was driving...

Had you taken the time to read my posting, you will see I mention I am a Corvette aficionado.... I competitively drive my Vettes, as well as show them in car shows in the south east.

If I have to explain a reference to a Honda further, then you wouldn't understand---any explanation notwithstanding.

And, of personal interest to me IS what the poster was driving---most, if not all of the cars involved in street racing in my area are small imports, Hondas, Acuras, etc. I was interested in what they were driving from a car enthusiast point of view. That a problem for you?

All the information provided in my posting and you walk away questioning an offhand reference to a Honda?

Is it raining there today?