What starts as a thrill-seeking moment on an Orange County street or highway can quickly turn into a serious criminal matter. Exhibition of speed — commonly associated with street racing, burnouts, and drag racing — is a criminal offense in California, and Orange County law enforcement and prosecutors pursue these cases vigorously. Whether you were participating in a race, showing off for friends, or simply caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, Seyb Law Group can build a strong defense on your behalf.
What Is Exhibition of Speed Under California Law?
California Vehicle Code Section 23109 makes it a crime to accelerate a vehicle on a highway in a manner intended to produce a showing of speed or power. This encompasses street racing, burnouts, ‘laying rubber,’ and similar conduct. The statute covers both drivers and passengers who encourage or abet the behavior.
A first-time conviction is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in county jail, fines up to $500, and possible license suspension of up to six months. However, if the exhibition of speed causes bodily injury to any person other than the driver, the charge becomes a more serious misdemeanor carrying up to six months in jail and fines up to $1,000. Repeat offenders face enhanced penalties.
Beyond the criminal penalties, an exhibition of speed conviction adds two points to your California driving record, which can lead to increased insurance premiums and potential license suspension under the Department of Motor Vehicles’ Negligent Operator Treatment System.
Who Gets Charged With Exhibition of Speed?
Orange County sees exhibition of speed charges arising from a variety of circumstances. Sometimes charges follow organized street races that police have been monitoring. In other cases, a single driver is pulled over after spinning tires or accelerating rapidly from a stoplight. Sometimes bystanders or passengers are swept into charges even when they had minimal involvement.
Our clients include young drivers who made a split-second decision, car enthusiasts who didn’t fully understand the legal implications, and individuals who were misidentified or who were simply present at a location where illegal racing occurred. An experienced Orange County, CA DUI lawyer can help you understand your options and build a strong defense.
Our Defense Approach
Successfully defending an exhibition of speed charge often requires challenging the officer’s observations and interpretation of events. Was the acceleration truly intentional and designed to show off speed? Was the location technically a ‘highway’ under the statutory definition? Were the circumstances consistent with dangerous street racing, or was this a mischaracterization of ordinary driving?
Our attorneys review dashcam footage, traffic camera recordings, police reports, and witness statements to identify every available defense. We also negotiate skillfully with prosecutors for charge reductions, traffic school alternatives, and diversion programs that keep your record clean.
In cases involving younger clients, we pay particular attention to outcomes that protect long-term driving privileges and avoid consequences that could interfere with education, employment, and future opportunities.
An exhibition of speed charge may feel minor, but the consequences are real. Contact us today for a consultation. We’ll help you understand your options and fight for the best possible result.