i recently got a ticket for violating vehicle code 23109a, speed contest.

the road is 3 lanes wide. i was coming up to a red light and there were about 3-4 cars in each of the left and middle lanes. most of the traffic was moving rather slowly that night, so i pulled into the right lane where there were no cars. the right lane was going to merge with the middle lane and i was planning on passing the cars before the lanes merged. when the light turned green, i took off slowly. i sped up a little to try to get ahead of the car on my left. that car was moving quickly too, so i sped up. he sped up too, so i sped up some more. i was trying to pass, and he was trying to box me out. we were both accelerating hard at this point. but the lanes were about to merge, so i let off the throttle at about 45mph and pulled behind the other car. this all happened in several seconds. moments later, i see flashing lights and we're both pulled over. the estimated speed on my ticket is 50 in a 40. i have a bone stock integra ls and he was driving a 5.0.

i just received my ticket in the mail. no bail amount, just a YOU MUST APPEAR IN COURT. i talked to several cops, and they said the traffic judge is pretty lenient, but i'm still worried. the violation carries a 1000+ fine, 2 points, and possible jail time. i'm also considering getting a lawyer.