Were you cited for running a stop sign in Los Angeles, CA? A stop sign ticket adds a point to your record and can raise your insurance rate for years afterward. Contact a Los Angeles stop sign ticket lawyer at Fight My Ticket to review your citation. Text your ticket to (323) 435-6045 for a free review.
We have spent more than three decades helping Southern California drivers challenge traffic citations that many assume are not worth fighting. A stop sign ticket is one of the most common tickets we see and beat. Reach out to us today to put our experience behind you.
Why Choose Fight My Ticket to Handle My Stop Sign Ticket?
Stop sign cases often come down to an officer’s split-second observation of your vehicle. A traffic ticket lawyer in Los Angeles can challenge improper observations and present your side of the story in court.
Drivers across Los Angeles, California, choose our firm because:
- We have more than 30 years of experience fighting stop sign and other moving violation citations throughout Southern California
- We have achieved a 90% dismissal or reduction rate on the infraction cases we handle
- We serve all 58 California counties
- We utilize $200+ flat fees and no hourly billing
- We can appear in court on your behalf for most infractions
- We handle everything from traffic tickets to criminal traffic offenses, including speeding, red-light camera tickets, driving with a suspended license, DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, and more.
A stop sign ticket is not automatically a lost cause. Text us today and let our team take a look at your ticket.
What Is a Stop Sign Ticket in Los Angeles?
Stop sign violations in California are governed by Vehicle Code Section 22450, which requires every driver approaching a stop sign to come to a complete stop.
The law is specific about where that stop must occur. If a limit line is painted on the roadway, you must stop there. If there is no limit line but a crosswalk exists, you must stop before entering it. If neither is present, you must stop at the entrance to the intersecting roadway.
A complete stop means your wheels stop moving entirely. Under the law, there is no such thing as an acceptable rolling stop, regardless of how clear the intersection appears. There is also no legal requirement to hold the stop for any specific number of seconds, though pausing longer certainly reduces the odds of being cited.
Many stop sign citations are based on stopping position. A driver who comes to a full and complete stop past the limit line is still in violation of the statute as written.
What Are the Penalties for Running a Stop Sign in California?
The base fine for a first-time violation is $35. Add penalty assessments, court fees, and surcharges, and the total typically swells to somewhere between $230 and $280, depending on the county.
Repeat violations can increase the base fine. A second offense within one year of a prior conviction can carry a base fine of up to $200, and a third within one year of two prior convictions can reach a base of $250.
If you do not pay your fine within 20 days of the due date, California law will add a 50 percent late penalty on top of the total. Beyond the financial cost of a traffic ticket, a conviction adds one point to your DMV driving record.
Stop Signs and Reckless Driving
Running multiple stop signs or passing through a stop sign at high speed can lead an officer to cite the incident as reckless driving under Vehicle Code Section 23103. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor carrying potential jail time and two DMV points. This, in turn, can push you right up to the point limits before a suspension.
How Does a Stop Sign Ticket Affect My License?
The point for a stop sign violation counts toward California’s negligent operator thresholds. The DMV can suspend a driver’s license once a driver accumulates:
- 4 points in 12 months
- 6 points in 24 months
- 8 points in 36 months
A stop sign point combined with one or two other citations can move you closer to a suspension. The point can also affect your insurance premium at your next renewal; most insurers treat any moving violation as a factor in setting your rate.
If you are eligible and have not used the option within the past 18 months, attending traffic school can keep the point off your public record.
What Defense Strategies Can Help Beat a Stop Sign Offense?
Stop sign cases often rest on a single officer’s observation, often from a moving patrol vehicle. These tickets are highly challengeable.
Depending on your case, possible defenses include:
- No stop sign was actually present or visible. Missing or hidden signage can be a valid defense, particularly at older intersections.
- The officer’s vantage point was obstructed. An officer positioned at an angle may have misjudged whether your wheels fully stopped.
- You did come to a complete stop. Many of these cases come down to your account against the officer’s. A clear, credible explanation of your stop can strengthen your position.
- Mistaken vehicle identification. An officer may have attributed another driver’s violation to your vehicle.
An experienced attorney can evaluate which of these arguments fits the specifics of your stop and how to present it through a written declaration or an in-person trial.
Contact a Los Angeles Stop Sign Ticket Lawyer for Assistance
A stop sign ticket in California adds a point to your record and can impact your insurance rate for years. Before you simply pay it, you should have your citation reviewed.
An attorney can review the officer’s report and vantage point for weaknesses and appear in court on your behalf so you never have to take time off work.
If a full dismissal is not realistic, an attorney can also negotiate to keep the point off your record or advise you on whether traffic school is the best move for your specific situation. Even a partial win can save you far more in avoided insurance costs than the price of hiring someone to handle it.
At Fight My Ticket, our Los Angeles stop sign ticket lawyers are standing by to challenge your citation. Text us your ticket for a free quote.
Fight My Ticket – Traffic Ticket Attorneys
8149 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 435-6045
