voted unanimously to approve the legislation. (D) If the legal owner or registered owner of the vehicle is a rental car agency. We do not handle any of the following cases: And we do not handle any cases outside of California. In this section, we offer solutions for clearing up your prior record. A passenger vehicle (such as a car or pickup truck); The route is more than twenty (20) miles, and. With the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, you may be able to use one or more of the followinglegal defensesto avoid a conviction for this offense: In order to help you better understand the law, our California criminal defense attorneyswill address the following: If, after reading this article, you would like more information, we invite you to contact us at Shouse Law Group. If you are watching a street racing event or are present at a location where preparations for such an event take place, you are considered a spectator, and according to California law you are still liable for a potential citation. (2) If the perpetration of the most recent offense within the five-year period described in paragraph (1) proximately causes bodily injury to a person other than the driver, a person convicted of that second violation shall be imprisoned in a county jail for not less than 30 days nor more than six months and by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). . In lieu of the suspension, the persons privilege to operate a motor vehicle may be restricted for six months to necessary travel to and from that persons place of employment and, if driving a motor vehicle is necessary to perform the duties of the persons employment, restricted to driving in that persons scope of employment. CALCRIM 520 First- or Second-Degree Murder with Malice Aforethought. This new law was passed in an effort to curb the amount of street racing in Fort Worth, as spectators are a large draw for street racers and stunting. Traffic Safety: AB43 would authorize local officials to further reduce speed limits beyond the state's current parameters in situations where needed to protect pedestrians and cyclists. Los Angeles DUI defense attorneyJohn Murrayis an expert specialist in crimes involving the California Vehicle Code, including VC 23109. In case its not your first related conviction you may be charged with additional penalties. Here's the relevant text in full: "It shall be unlawful for any person to (1) Be knowingly present as a Spectator at a Street Race conducted on a public street or highway; or (2) Be knowingly present as a Spectator at a Reckless Driving Exhibition conducted on a public street or highway or in an Offstreet Parking Facility.". Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. What happens if a person is convicted of 23109 VC? Spectator to Street Racing Schedule a Free Consultation 866-985-7740 Spectator to Street Racing Ticket in Florida Street racing is illegal, but in the state of Florida it is also illegal to stand on the sidelines and watch a street race. ATM thieves use glue and 'tap' function to drain accounts at Chase, Big Bear begins running out food and fuel as ski resorts remain open, Do not to buy Raspberry Rally cookies from eBay, Girl Scouts say. Authorities across the country are constantly testing new ways to stop the violent delights and violent ends of street racing. . Is watching an illegal street race illegal? We will update this article as more information becomes available. It's a bold new tactic for policeand one that warrants a closer look. Street racing laws in California include all forms of speed racing, drag racing or drifting, and any exhibitions of speed which threatens the public safety. Spectators will often take video of these events and post them on social media. In Colorado? We do our very best to keep our information accurate, but we will not be held liable for any inaccuracies. The account that posted the photo is from the Street Racer Task Force, which is a multi-agency group that joins efforts with law enforcement to stop street racing and takeovers. By John Kapetaneas, Stephanie Lorenzo, and Allie Yang . Copyright 2023 Shouse Law Group, A.P.C. Some people do not like loud noise and are concerned at what takes place in their living communities. (Someone commits an act willfully when he or she does it willingly or on purpose. 4th Dist., 2004), 117 Cal. New laws that were passed in Sacramento this year include a crackdown on vehicle sideshows, lower speed limits to protect pedestrians and granting new authority to tribal vehicles responding to an emergency. but ended up with 78 cars being towed for spectating! San Jose already passed a law in 2019 that bans audiences at sideshows. Can you get in trouble for spectating street racing? Very helpful with any questions and concerns and I can't thank them enough for the experience I had. Police officer mistakes, faulty breathalyzers and crime lab errors may get your charges reduced or dismissed. 8:00 PM Live Music Begins. But it does not include property that is maintained by private entities and/or not open to the public for vehicle travel. Races can draw in crowds to street corners converted to speedways. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. For additional guidance or to discuss your case with a criminal defense attorney, we invite you to contact us at Shouse Law Group. Exhibition of speed is considered either a misdemeanor or an infraction, and dont include drivers license suspensions. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. This is a misdemeanor punishable by, Note that officers may write the citation as. If you are wronglyand unjustlyaccused of engaging in a speed contest, youcansuccessfully argue to the prosecutor or a jury that there is not enough evidence that you are guilty. Learn aboutspeed contests (CRS 42-4-1105). 13.46.010) Dismissed Our client, age 33 and from Baldwin Park, was ticketed at about 4:45 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon at the end of Intermodal Way, a cul-de-sac just off Sepulveda Boulevard in Carson. Welcome to CaliforniaCarLaws! In case you have a previous conviction for street racing within 5 years, youll be looking at 4 days to 6 months in county jail, $500 $1,000 fine, and a mandatory suspension of your drivers license for 6 months. The case is called People v. Watson.8. While doing so, you willfully engaged in a speed contest. It can also refer to racing against a timing device such as a clock or a stopwatch. April 22, 2020. Greg also requested that the client provide him with a current resume and pay stub to take to court to show the client was employed. The term speed contest (also called street racing, drag racing, or an exhibition of speed) refers to a race by two or more motor vehicles on a public street, highway or freeway.It can also refer to racing against a timing device such as a clock or a stopwatch.. California Vehicle Code 23109(a) VC makes it a crime willfully to participate in a speed contest. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Example: Charlotte is an avid motorcyclist whose husband owns a car dealership. Criminal Defense Vehicle Code 23109 VC - Speed Contest. Street racing and drag racing are crimes in California. In an attempt to combat street racers throughout Florida, the Florida legislature crafted a law which prohibits individuals from being a spectator at any drag racing event. Neither the riders or horses were wearing reflective gear or lights. 3d 505, Two groups of friends who are caravanning to a party in two separate cars start playfully competing to see which car will get there faster. Got a tip? A conviction is generally a misdemeanor that may carry jail time, probation and fines. The meetups, which usually involve several cars shutting down a public road to perform stunts, have grown in popularity and have become a big safety risk in recent years. Vehicle Code 23109 VC Speed contests, subsection (e)(1), endnote 3, above. It shall be unlawful for any individual to: (a) Knowingly gather, attend, or assist an illegal speed contest or illegal exhibition of speed as defined by Vehicle Code Section 23109; or. Anyone who engages, aids or participates in a street race violates CA laws and may get punished under the same laws. In case there is insufficient evidence that you engaged in a speed contest you may be able to have (some) charges against you dropped. And if you violate those restrictionsor drive at all while your license is suspendedthen you could face separate charges forVehicle Code 14601 VC driving on a suspended license. Furthermore in case of serious bodily injury (even includes concussion or loss of consciousness) you may be looking at a sentence of 16 months to 3 years in jail, and up to $10,000 fine. The Drive contacted the California Highway Patrol via phone and email to verify if these cars had been, in fact, impounded due to the reasons listed above, but we've yet to receive a response. As defined by California law, in order to participate in a speed contest you must operate a motor vehicle (car, truck, pickup, motorcycle, bus, etc.) Please note: Our firm only handles criminal and DUI cases, and only in California. In October 2019, she says, a vehicle struck the two horse riders, killing the two animals, and leaving the riders in critical condition. thirty (30) days to one (1) year in county jail, and/or. Your professionalism and thoroughness is greatly admired. (d) A person shall not, for the purpose of facilitating or aiding or as an incident to any motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition upon a highway, in any manner obstruct or place a barricade or obstruction or assist or participate in placing a barricade or obstruction upon any highway.), Vehicle Code 23109 VC Speed contests. ((e) . Vehicle Code 2800.1 VC Flight from pursuing peace officer. General Information: 800-807-6755. AlachuaBakerBayBradenton Speeding Ticket AttorneyBrevard CountyBrowardCalhounCharlotteCitrusClayCollierColumbiaDaytona Speeding Ticket AttorneyDesotoDixieDuvalEscambiaFranklinGadsdenGilchristGladesGulfHamiltonHardeeHendryHernandoHighlandsHillsboroughHolmesJacksonJacksonville Traffic Ticket LawyerJeffersonLafayetteLakeLeeLeonLevyLibertyMadisonManateeMarionMartinMelbourne Traffic Ticket AttorneyMiami DadeMonroeNaples Speeding Ticket AttorneyNassauOcalaOkaloosaOkeechobeeOrangeOrlando Speeding Ticket AttorneyOsceolaPalm BeachPascoPensacola Traffic Ticket DefensePinellasPolkPutnamSaint JohnsSanford Speeding Ticket LawyerSanta RosaSarasotaSeminoleSt.Lucie CountySumterSuwanee CountyTallahasseeTaylorUnionVolusiaWakullaWaltonWashington. ", "Greg Hill did an outstanding job on every level. They may have been oblivious to the knowledge that a street race was taking place in the spot in which they were hanging out. I will definitely recommend you to my friends if they ever need legal help. An individual charged with a moving violation for watching a street race could argue that they were not there to watch the race and that the charge was unjust. Rosalio Ahumada writes breaking news stories related to crime and public safety for The Sacramento Bee. Street racing is illegal, but in the state of Florida it is also illegal to stand on the sidelines and watch a street race. ", "Thanks again for your hard work. Seal Court Records and / or Arrest Records. Any individual who is knowingly present as a spectator, either on a public street or highway or on private property open to the general public without the consent of the owner, operator, or agent thereof, at an illegal motor vehicle speed contest or illegal exhibition of speed is guilty of a misdemeanor subject to a . Still, the heavy-handedness on display here should concern both car enthusiasts and fans of reasonable policing alike. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. Greg then went to the Compton Superior Courthouse for the arraignment, a bit worried because he had no presents for the prosecutor to show our client was worried about the charge and to show he was taking the case seriously. (This happens especially frequently withelderly drivers.). Copyright 2023 Shouse Law Group, A.P.C. Greg listened to the client explain what had happened and recommended that the client enroll in and complete an online traffic school course of at least four hours ASAP so Greg could take the certificate of completion with him to court in hopes of avoiding a conviction for a misdemeanor.