Hi, I was hoping someone had similar experience. I recently received the most absurd violation. Not 100% sure of other states but in California there are certain times during rush hour (5am to 9am) that instead of two people, three people are required in the HOV lane. Please also keep in mind that the HOV lanes on this certain freeway are also designed where once you enter there is no exit until you reach downtown LA (a good 13 mile stretch). Well I was driving with one other person around 8:45am when I began to enter the freeway. I didn't think it was a big deal since it took forever just to get to that point and it was almost 9am. And just my luck the cop was peering in right when I entered the carpool lane. By the time he stopped me it was almost 9am and I should have been more aggressive to get out of it but wasn't. He wouldn't relent and wrote down 8:39am on the ticket (he definitely rounded down in his favor). My question is if there is anyway of fighting this nearly $400 ticket in my trial by declaration. I did have another person and it was 9am by the time that cop left. What main points should I emphasize to have this ticket dropped to avoid court? Also would this be a moving violation? Any help or insight would help! Thanks!

by the way I looked up the vehicle code from my ticket: from DMV website
21655.5(b) Failure to obey sign posted preferential traffic lane(s); exceptions - motorcycles, mass transit buses, and paratransit vehicles.