So I got a ticket for no clear reason but as per the cop I did not completely stop when light was orange. I want to know how to proceed from here:
1) I believe I go to the court on the date printed on ticket and plead "not guilty" and the court will assign another date for the trial?
2) Is hiring a lawyer necessary or can I plead "not guilty" by my own - I think I can defend for myself (it was after all orange light not red).
3) Will hiring a attorney help? If yes, where and how do I find one, and do I have to find one before the first ticket date?
I already have two tickets (last year) and want to avoid this one. Please advice.
2007-11-26 08:41:59 · 5 answers · asked by ? 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I had Kansas tags while driving in Oregon, I believe this was another reason why the officer pulled me over (he said "here in Oregon we stop at orange light" - huh!)
2007-11-26 09:05:41 · update #1
1.) That is correct. You plead not guilty, and the court will assign a new court date for the trial.
2.) You do not need a lawyer, but you can get one if you want. Look up "Attorneys" or "Traffic Attorneys" in your local yellow pages.
3.) An attorney might help, depending, on your local laws. If you don't have one before your ticket date, ask the judge for time to contact one.
2007-11-26 08:51:31 · answer #1 · answered by Citicop 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1) I believe I go to the court on the date printed on ticket and plead "not guilty" and the court will assign another date for the trial? - Every time I went they tried the case on the spot. You should arrive ready to go. They are.
2) Is hiring a lawyer necessary or can I plead "not guilty" by my own - I think I can defend for myself (it was after all orange light not red). - A lawyer is not required and may be excessive for traffic court. While he may be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat and get you off on a technicality, is the $$$ you would spend on a lawyer any less important than the $$ you would pay in the fine?
3) Will hiring a attorney help? If yes, where and how do I find one, and do I have to find one before the first ticket date? - Read above.
2007-11-26 08:48:58 · answer #2 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you will need to go to court to plead not guilty and you will not need an attorney for that. They will either deal with your case on the same date or set it for trial...which means another court appearance for you. What reason do you have for running an ORANGE light? I know that when you see a yellow light you are supposed to SLOW DOWN and not hit the gas to be able to make it across the intersection before it turns red. So you might want to hire an attorney, which is another expense.
2007-11-26 08:47:07 · answer #3 · answered by lahockeyg 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
David gives some very sound advise but also you need to consider this...
You may have entered the confines of the intersection when the light was yellow, however, at anytime while any portion of your vehicle is still inside the confines of the intersection and the light changes to red...it's a good ticket.
Too often we see the traffic light for a very brief moment and see anything but red and continue on oblivious to anything that happens after we divert our attention away from the light.
I seriously doubt the officer would have stopped you unless there were no doubts in his mind.
I've stopped folks for the same after my light on the cross traffic had turned green (which means the violators light was red) and they swore their light was green. Pretty hard to do when the light is programed to NOT have opposing green lights!
Go to court or pay your fine....just be ready for whatever the judge decides!
2007-11-26 08:57:46 · answer #4 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
On the ticket there will be a time and place to appear. Go there and plead your case to the Judge. you can just mail in your fine if so approved.
2007-11-26 08:55:00 · answer #5 · answered by schneider2294@sbcglobal.net 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋