Ticketed for CarPool Violation by CHP..Advice?

[Sandman]

Hello All!

Today, well technically yesterday, I was ticketed for driving in a carpool lane. Yes, I must admit I violated the sacred rule of the road...Do not use the lane which is NOT being used......Traffic was thick......there I was sitting in it and there was this unused lane to my left. I figured I pay for it so why the hell should I not be able to use it.

Well, about 1 minuted after I began using the unused lane a CHP, California Highway Patrol, on motorcycle, decided to pull me over for NOT having 2 or more people in the vehicle.

We exchanged niceties, really he just demanded I show him my license and registration. After complying with the officers demands he told me to step out of my vehicle and follow him to the rear of my car, which I did. Not sure why he wanted me out of the vehicle, but considering he had a loaded weapon I thought it would be prudent to comply.

After running my name and blood type..etc..etc.. he began to write the actual citation. At this point I was on the fence as to how I was going to deal with the situation. Should I refuse to sign and be whisked away to a magistrate? Or, should I continue to play nice and Reserve My Right to fight another day? I chose the latter.

What was particularly funny was when I signed the ticket, with my name, but ending in "All Rights Reserved" the revenue officer became a bit upset. He said to me "I asked you to sign the ticket, not add anything else"...to which I just looked at him....then he said "Did you know it is illegal to deface a citation"? to which I replied "I'm not sure of the legalities involved with defacing anything...but considering I stayed within your red box I dont see what the problem is"......at that point he smiled....he knew what I was doing. His final words to me were "well, I'm not going to get mad about it"...with a smile on his face. He then got on his bike and pedaled off.....


Now I am fairly new to this site, just about a month now, and I would like some advice as to the best course of action. Being that time is critical at this point, I'm thinking about the 72 hours to Refuse for Cause, I have a few questions which I was hoping some of the more knowledgeable members here could assist with.

1. If I go the R4C route does that keep me from addressing the jurisdiction issue later if the R4C is not honored?

2. I'm still a bit unclear on the R4C process....I know I must return the citation to the Department head which issued the citation....such as Police Chief for a City ticket or the Sheriff for a ticket issued by a deputy, but who do I send the R4C to if I was ticketed by the CHP? Would it be the Chief in Sacramento or the top CHP Officer in the local office where the ticketing officer is stationed?

3. How do you know if the R4C worked or not?

I have a few other questions, which I am researching now, but thought I would throw this out there and see if anyone is willing to guide me a bit. Thanks to all for taking the time to read my thread.


Sandman

[Codee]

There is no such thing as the CHP. It was abolished about 20-30 years ago and all power was transfered to the DCHP.

It is a misdemeanor to to impersonate an officer of the CHP. There are no officers of the CHP. Anyone in a CHP uniform who professes to be CHP is guilty.