Need Advice...Ticket w/State Ref Signoff Only

[Simace]

So, I got pulled over last night because my exhaust was too loud. I won't go into the details of how I got pulled over, I'll just say that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time :/

Anyhow, the ticket states the following:
Correctable: YES
V/C: 27150(a)
Description: No Exhaust Muffler
Type: Infraction

Now here's the part that confuses me; the cop told me that the ticket can only be signed-off by a State Ref and that I cannot drive the car until that gets done.

I've done lotsa searching to figure this out and so far this is what I've found;
Some say that on your 1st offence you can pay for the ticket without "fixing" the issue and not have to deal with State Ref bs and that on 2nd+ offence you have to go see the State Ref and cannot pay for the ticket until then, while others say 1st/2nd+ offense doesn't matter, you have to go see a State Ref - which is it?

When your ticket requires "State Ref", some say that they [State Ref] only look into the infraction (in my case, no muffler) while others say that they go over your entire car - which is it?

I plan to put a silencer on the car, because I cannot fit mufflers given the car is slightly lower than stock. I'm hoping this tones down the exhaust, though I don't feel it's as loud as they're making it out to be.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

FWIW: This was the only thing on the ticket, no other infractions or anything, just the one mentioned.

[2fnloud]

But last I knew turbo's are considered mufflers.

[lawdogg]

Is this a Cali fix it ticket? If so, find a police officer to sign off on it. Some are more willing to sign than others.

I got one for brake lights (my switch broke), and brought it to court unsigned and showed the clerk a pic of my rusty part that I replaced, she called my car a piece of shit and signed it herself. $25, done.

[Simace]

lol...turbos...

It's a SoCali ticket. The problem is, he put this sticker on the back that says the following:

"STATE REFEREE SIGN-OFF ONLY
(California Health & Safety Code $43012)
State Referee Appointments: 1-800-622-7733
Vehicle must be removed from the roadway immediately and may not be driven until in compliance (California Vehicle Code $24004)"

[lawdogg]

I would just go to the court house and ask the clerk what to do. Maybe not in your VR-4 though

[2fnloud]

Laugh all you want Turbos ARE considered mufflers, Neon SRT4's have no mufflers only a pair of resonators.....assuming a cat or two as well.

[2fnloud]

[Simace]

Really? I have two turbos, one HFC and a small silencer (that I plan on replacing for a lengthier one in the hopes of reducing the "loudness")...

Can you point me in the direction to get the info I need to prove turbos are mufflers?

And I'm sorry about laughing, if this is true.

[donniekak]

Ah, this I why I enjoy California on vacation only.

[2fnloud]

Simance I was trying to find info for you, but being Komifornia, you will be hard pressed to get it to fly, don't they have inspections you need done? If so have it sniffed and Db'd

Is the stuff you installed CARB approved?