Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in California

I was issued an infraction for possesion of marijuana under an ounce. I asked the officer and had heard before the issue of the ticket that the fine is only 100 dollars. When the ticket came in the mail it said the bail amount was 229.00. I contacted the courthouse and stated that if I were to take it to court the judge could reduce it to 100 dollars but they also stated that there would be records relating to the case. She stated if I leave it as is and pay the ticket there will be no record. I am confused because I have read the actual law and it clearly states a maximum fine of 100 dollars.


Asked on 5/06/11, 9:45 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

All fines in California have a huge tax added on. You could write to your state senators and assemblypersons, but they are too busy wasting your $229 to pay attention to you. Be thankful you live in a state where marijuana possession is only an infraction, in many other states they can and do arrest small-time marijuana possessors, and raid their homes, and sentence them to jail. If you have a pre-existing medical recommendation or some other defense you could attempt to beat the ticket, but what is your time and aggravation worth.

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Answered on 5/06/11, 2:32 pm


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