yeah back in 1999...You are incorrect. It is NOT illegal in california to have window tint in the front. Aslong as the tint allows 70% of the light in your good! lmao.
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/CA/
"California Tint Law Enacted: 1999 "
that site is not up to date. i thought myself the same thing when i was tagged for the 35% but the officer said i was wrong. i called my local PD and they said the same.
here is a current active source:
http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/streetlegal.html
"illegal...Tinting the front side windows and the windshield (except for a narrow band at the top of the windshield). Windows behind the driver's head may be tinted. If rear window is tinted, right-side mirror is required (26708 VC)."