VC 23111 Penalty
How much is the fine for throwing a cigarette out the car window?
If you got a ticket for throwing a cigarette, cigar, match or any flaming or glowing substance out of your car window in California, Vehicle Code (VC) 23111, the minimum punishment for this violation is:-
- A fine of about $500
- And, in addition, 8 hours of community service picking up litter or cleaning graffiti. (See Vehicle Code Section 42001.7 below.)
A few Judges might impose a heavier fine instead of ordering community service.
Mandatory Court Appearance for California VC 23111
Violation VC 23111 requires a mandatory court appearance in front of a Judge. This means you have to show up in court on the court date listed on your ticket.
You cannot do traffic school for this violation or just pay it off; VC 23111 requires a mandatory court appearance by either you or a lawyer on your behalf. Failure to appear in court can result in heavier fines and a license suspension.
We can appear for you in Los Angeles County so you don't have to go court. Call us to see how we can help. We can go to court for you to fight the charges. Call us at (310) 285-1516 for a free legal consultation.
Important things to know about a VC 23111 ticket for discarding a cigarette
- A VC 23111 cigarette ticket requires a mandatory court appearance - you have to go to court to see the Judge about this ticket (or a lawyer can go to court for you so you don't have to go) but either you or a lawyer on your behalf has to go to court to appear in front of the Judge
- The mandatory punishment for a VC 23111 cigarette ticket is a fine and you must do 8 hours of community service if this is your first time getting a VC 23111 ticket
- A VC 23111 cigarette ticket does NOT put a DMV point on your record
- A police officer can issue you a ticket for VC 23111 if you discard a cigarette out the window even if the cigarette is not lighted
- A Judge "in unusual cases where the interest of justice would best be served" can waive the 8 hours community service requirement (VC 42001.7(c))
VC 23111 and VC 42001.7 - the Law in California
Below are the applicable laws in California:-
- Vehicle Code section 23111
- Vehicle Code section 42001.7 which covers the punishment for VC 23111.
V C Section 23111 Throwing Substances on Highways or Adjoining Areas
V C Section 23111 Throwing Substances on Highways or Adjoining AreasThrowing Substances on Highways or Adjoining Areas
23111. No person in any vehicle and no pedestrian shall throw or discharge from or upon any road or highway or adjoining area, public or private, any lighted or nonlighted cigarette, cigar, match, or any flaming or glowing substance. This section shall be known as the Paul Buzzo Act.
V C Section 42001.7 Littering
Littering
42001.7. (a) Every person convicted of a violation of Section 23111 or 23112, or subdivision (a) of Section 23113, shall be punished:-
- by a mandatory fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) upon a first conviction,
- by a mandatory fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) upon a second conviction,
- and by a mandatory fine of not less than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) upon a third or subsequent conviction.
In no case may the court order imprisonment in the county jail for a violation punishable under this subdivision, unless imprisonment is ordered pursuant to Section 166 of the Penal Code.
(b) The court shall, in addition to the fines imposed pursuant to subdivision (a), order the offender to pick up litter or clean up graffiti at a time and place within the jurisdiction of the court as follows:
(1) For a first conviction punished pursuant to subdivision (a), the court shall require the offender to pick up litter or clean up graffiti for not less than eight hours.
(2) For a second conviction punished pursuant to subdivision (a), the court shall require the offender to pick up litter or clean up graffiti for not less than 16 hours.
(3) For a third or subsequent conviction punished pursuant to subdivision (a), the court shall require the offender to pick up litter or clean up graffiti for not less than 24 hours.
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that persons convicted of highway littering be required to bear the penalty for their actions. Therefore, the court may not suspend the mandatory fines required by subdivision (a) except in unusual cases where the interest of justice would best be served by suspension of the fine. If the court suspends imposition of any fine required by subdivision (a), it shall, as a condition of that suspension, require the offender to pick up litter or clean up graffiti at a time and place within the jurisdiction of the court for not less than eight hours for every one hundred dollars ($100) of fine suspended. The court may not suspend the order to pick up litter or clean up graffiti required by this subdivision or subdivision (b) except in unusual cases where the interest of justice would best be served by suspension of that order. 
We can help with VC 23111 in Los Angeles County
If you got a ticket for throwing a lit cigarette, cigar, match or any flaming or glowing substance out of your car window in Los Angeles County, Vehicle Code (VC) 23111, we can help.
- We can go to court for you to fight the charges.
- We can appear for you so you don't have to go court.