Ticketed for allegedly running red light.?
Cop falsely accused driver of running red light.Definitely light was not red at the moment driver's vehicle entered intersection.Driver cannot know if the light turned red after driver's vehicle passed under light fixture.How can driver prove that he/she did not commit infraction?No other witnesses present.Why did cop issue ticket-to make up quota? What's driver's best defence...cannot afford lawyer;on principle will not take traffic school .
2006-12-20 15:26:02 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Yelp! your screwed. Pay the fine and forget about it.
2006-12-20 15:27:44 · answer #1 · answered by jay r 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Depends on what state yer in. In California, if you're all ready in the intersection when the light turns red, that is *not* running a red light. (Check your state's laws to find out if this definition works for your state, too.) If so, then you simply testify--if true--that the light was not red when you entered the intersection but changed to red before you left the intersection. Be sure to testify as to *when* during your trip across the intersection the light did turn red. And you don't need a lawyer. Remember to treat both the officer and the court with respect, answer the court's questions and, chances are, if you're believable, the judge will have a resonable doubt and you won't be convicted.
2016-05-23 03:24:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Ontario, Canada you don't need a lawyer for traffic court. Plead not guilty, tell you side of the story to the presiding Justice and see what happens. I have seen many red light tickets in court, and I'd say, based on my experience, that 50% get tossed because the Justice of the Peace believes both the driver and police officer were equally credible. If you are found guilty the worst that could happen (at least here) is that you have to pay the original fine on the ticket you were given.
2006-12-20 15:34:12 · answer #3 · answered by joeanonymous 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You could try taking it to court, but without a witness, it's probably going to be a lost cause. The law in most states says, "When the light is yellow, stop if it is safe to do so, otherwise proceed with caution." Unfortunately, if you acknowledge the light was yellow, most of the time the judge will tell you that you should have stopped...unless you can prove that it would have been unsafe to stop during the yellow light...a VERY difficult thing to prove. Every judge I have ever seen in traffic court reminds the driver that yellow means, "stop". d:( You probably don't want to hear this, but I recommend the traffic school in this case.
2006-12-20 15:31:34 · answer #4 · answered by Gary D 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
if it would have been safe for you to slow to a stop, then you should have stopped but if your rate of speed and/or traffic conditions would have made it dangerous for you to stop then you might have a case. go to the court house and see about getting a copy of the police officer's report to see what his statement says about the road conditions and when the light turned yellow and if he observed you speeding up to miss the red light. if there are no witnesses, it will be your word against the ticketing officer's. what does your driving record look like?
if you're going to fight it, you should dress professionally and be respectful. speak clearly and state your case. get evidence like a weather report of the day that you got ticketed. what was the visibility like? was it raining? when did you notice the light was yellow? did you drive up on a "stale" green light (a light that you did not see turn from red to green)? look into your state laws about traffic control signals. traffic control is in place for your safety and the laws may indicate some gray areas. if you do your research and come prepared, you may be able to beat the ticket.
good luck.
2006-12-20 15:49:39 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
When you say you can't afford a lawyer, what kind of lawyer are you talking about? A good traffic lawyer (usually) only costs between 30-60 dollars, and they are worth every penny. I just got 2 tickets (one for running a stop sign and one for 102 in a 55) and my traffic lawyer made them both disappear. It only cost me about 100 dollars. Without a lawyer, you probably don't have a chance. And they most likely gave you the ticket so they could meet their quota. They have to get those bonuses to make up for all the money lost in donuts.
2006-12-20 21:51:45 · answer #6 · answered by chanjobe1 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
In most states you have to be completely through the intersection before the light turns red. Yellow really means stop not speed up.
2006-12-20 15:41:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
So sorry to hear this! Similar thing happened to me. I feel your pain. I got a dash cam because of no one coming to my defense and would commend you to do the same. It is sad in a day when cameras are everywhere but where the working man needs them!
Best to you!
2016-11-09 02:32:17 · answer #8 · answered by J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
light doesn't have to be red, could have turned red when you were crossing the intersection, if it turned yellow and you sped up, you will geta ticket for runnign a red light
2006-12-20 15:29:27 · answer #9 · answered by sevenout7 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God Almighty! Are you driving in America? How in the HELL did you slip past the Licensing Inspector?? You have to CLEAR the intersection before the light turns red, for crying out loud!!! What State did you say you are from again???
2006-12-20 15:31:09 · answer #10 · answered by SGT. D 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
tell yourself that. "allegedly" had common sense when entering the intersection during a red light?
2006-12-20 16:19:34 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋