i got a ticket for running a red light in NJ, is it better to just pay the ticket?

Question

or to go to court and try to fight it. Other then this i have a completley clear driving record and i really didnt run the light , it changed half way through me turning and it was too late to stop

damn i wish i had asked this question last week before i scheduled a court date :0(

Answer 1

if you have a clean record, go into court,,, do not try to split hairs with a judge over this ,,, in the middle of intersection,,, because you will lose,,,, be neatley dressed, hair combed, clean shaven, be respectfull to the judge ,,, do not have a chip on your shoulder,, throw yourself on the mercy of the court...
i have sit on the bench for 38 years, and i will tell you when you walk into my court room, well dressed, neat looking , and paying attention ,,,, then that is half of you battle won right there,,,, and there are thousands of other judges that do the same thing..

good luck

good luck

Answer 2

Yes, paying it would be less hassle, but I remember watching something on tv many years ago that had very interesting information. One segment stated that no matter what, you should always take a ticket to court. More than half the time, the cop that wrote your ticket won't show up and it will be thrown out.

Now, of course, if you really did run the yellow/red light, it would only be morally right to pay the ticket.

Answer 3

Why are you going to waste peoples time when you know you were wrong...So much for RESPONSIBLE adult....Free tip of the day..when you're far away about 500ft or so from a yellow light you break and prepare to stop for the RED LIGHT. DO NOT hit the gas and hope you make it other wise you'll either get a ticket or be involved in a bad accident....

Answer 4

It magically went from green to red?

I have been to Jersey many times and have never seen one of these magical stop lights, I will keep my eye out for these tricky little devils!

Like so many people have pointed out - Yellow does mean hurry up and try to beat the red, and you have no business in an intersection until you are prepared to turn.

Please don't waste ta payer dollars going to court when you are well aware you are guilty. Put on your big girl undies and accept responsibility for your error.

Answer 5

New Jersey State allows to take a traffic school course (known as defensive driving) to remove 2 points from driving record and make sure that points you've incurred from a recent traffic violation. And also take advantage of that mandatory 5% insurance discount as well by completing the course.

Answer 6

If you take it to court the judge has the option of making you pay a larger fine.

If it is your word against a cops, the judge will take the cops word. Is it worth it to miss a morning of work to fight this?

I say, pay the ticket.

Answer 7

Two options, hire a lawyer to see if you can get points reduced on your license, however, this will cost more than just pleading guilty and paying the ticket. In either case your car insurance will go up, it is a no win situation, just pay it.

Answer 8

If it changed while you were in the intersection you ran the light. Yellow does not mean hurry and go through. Pay the ticket.

Answer 9

Just pay it, unless you got a good argument. I had a perfect driving record and got caught speeding once after 3 years of getting my license.

Answer 10

"I didn't really run the light" ?? I'm guessing that you were making a LEFT turn... You shouldn't ENTER the intersection until it is clear for you to make the turn... and as Meathook said, "Yellow doesn't mean hurry up"

I wonder how many municipalities would have FAT, cash rich coffers if folks just PAID for their mistakes.