Exhibition of Speed Lawyers in California
Yes: exhibition of speed is a misdemeanor charge under Vehicle Code 23109(c), and our attorneys defend it in court for drivers across Los Angeles County, the surrounding counties and the rest of California. We review the officer’s account, the evidence and the charge itself, starting with a free consultation.
What an Exhibition of Speed Charge Means
Vehicle Code 23109(c) makes it an offense to engage in, or aid or abet, an exhibition of speed on a highway or in an offstreet parking facility. California’s jury instruction for the charge describes it as accelerating or driving at a dangerous and unsafe speed to show off or make an impression on someone, and the prosecution does not have to prove who that person was (CALCRIM No. 2202). A driver can be charged without going over the posted limit.
The statute sets the penalty at up to 90 days in county jail, a fine of up to $500, or both (VC 23109(i)(1)). A conviction carries two points (VC 12810(d)(1)) and stays on the DMV record for seven years (VC 1808(b)(2)).
How Our Attorneys Fight an Exhibition of Speed Charge
We test the charge against what the prosecution has to prove: the speed or acceleration the officer describes, whether it was dangerous and unsafe, and the evidence of intent to show off. We look at where it happened, because the section covers highways and offstreet parking facilities. We also check how the case is filed: the law lets this charge proceed as an infraction in some cases (Penal Code 17(d), 19.8). An attorney can appear for you on a misdemeanor (Penal Code 977). We defend these cases in courts across Los Angeles County. We also take cases in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties, and anywhere else in California.
Our attorneys have over 45 years of combined experience in fighting traffic tickets. In over 90% of our cases the client has had their case dismissed, been found not guilty, or has had reduced fines and/or charges reduced to no points. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome.
Questions About Exhibition of Speed
Is Exhibition of Speed a Misdemeanor?
The Vehicle Code lists it as one (VC 40000.15). It is also one of the offenses that can proceed as an infraction: the prosecutor can file it as an infraction, or the court can treat it as one with the defendant’s consent (Penal Code 17(d) and 19.8). An infraction carries no jail and has a maximum fine of $250 (Penal Code 19.6, 19.8(a)(2)). Which way a case goes depends on the court and the facts.
How Is Exhibition of Speed Different From a Speed Contest?
A speed contest is a race against another vehicle, a clock or another timing device (VC 23109(a)). An exhibition of speed needs no race: one driver accelerating or driving unsafely to show off is enough. The penalties differ too. A speed contest carries 24 hours to 90 days in jail, a fine of $355 to $1,000, or both, plus 40 hours of community service and a possible license suspension. An exhibition of speed carries up to 90 days, up to $500, or both (VC 23109(e), (i)). Both carry two points. See our speed contest page.
Can My Car Be Impounded for Exhibition of Speed?
Yes. An officer who sees an exhibition of speed can arrest the driver and have the vehicle seized and impounded for up to 30 days (VC 23109.2(a)). This does not apply to someone charged only with aiding or abetting. The registered owner can ask for a storage hearing, the vehicle must be released early if the charges are dismissed or not filed for lack of evidence, and the owner does not pay towing and storage after an acquittal or a dismissal (VC 23109.2(b), (c), (e)).
Will Exhibition of Speed Affect My Insurance?
A conviction carries two points (VC 12810(d)(1)). A driver with more than one point in the previous three years does not qualify for a Good Driver Discount policy (Insurance Code 1861.025), so this one conviction is enough to put a driver outside that line. How much a premium changes is set by each insurer’s rating plan.
Related
Defend Your Record and Your Car
An exhibition of speed conviction puts two points on your record for seven years. Call (310) 455-6810 or contact us today for your free consultation.
Sources
California Legislative Information
- Vehicle Code 23109(c)(opens in a new tab)
- VC 12810(d)(1)(opens in a new tab)
- VC 1808(b)(2)(opens in a new tab)
- Penal Code 17(d)(opens in a new tab)
- 19.8(opens in a new tab)
- Penal Code 977(opens in a new tab)
- VC 40000.15(opens in a new tab)
- Penal Code 19.6(opens in a new tab)
- VC 23109.2(a)(opens in a new tab)
- Insurance Code 1861.025(opens in a new tab)
Judicial Branch of California
- CALCRIM No. 2202(opens in a new tab), Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instructions, 2026 edition