I pulled up to a red light where there was NOT a "no turn on red" sign. I made a complete stop, looked at the cars across from me (no one was going) l looked left at the cars coming from that direction (no one was there) so after stopping for a couple seconds and looking, I turned right. A police officer pulled me over and gave me a ticket for "running a red light" because he said that the people across the way from me had a green arrow.
If no one was going, how am I responsible for knowing that? Also, how can you give a person a ticket for running a red if they very clearly made a complete stop and then just turned right?
I want to fight this ticket, I just wanted to see if anyone knew what argument the cop might have against me in this.
2007-12-19 15:49:16 · 5 answers · asked by lwa519 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I really did make a complete stop and had a witness in the car who can attest to that. The only thing I can think of is that maybe while I was looking left to see if there were any cars coming from there that the green arrow came on for the people across from me.
Thanks for all the help everyone, any more insight would really be appreciated.
Also, could someone please answer the part of the question about whether or not "ran a red light" is a legitimate charge? Even if the officer felt that I did not look carefully enough at the cars ahead of me, that is VERY different from "failing to stop at a red light" which was the official charge on my ticket.
2007-12-19 16:16:18 · update #1
I'd fight it. How are you supposed to know what's on a light that you can't see?
2007-12-19 16:31:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF your state is a "right turn on red" state (not all of them are), and IF the green arrow is not visible from the place where you were stopped, and if nobody was turning on that green light, you might have a viable defense. Take a picture of the traffic signal as you would see it from where you were stopped. Show that you cannot see the arrow. (Not that it matters if the state has a "right turn on red" law.)
But be prepared to possibly lose. The argument will be tough to predict.
2007-12-19 23:56:10 · answer #2 · answered by The_Doc_Man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you came to a complete stop, and you didn't impede any traffic having the right of way by virtue of a green light, you're fine, and the officer has no argument.
Now, if there were people actually turning left on the green arrow, you're in trouble.
2007-12-19 23:54:10 · answer #3 · answered by DOOM 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If what happened is exactly what you said happened then I think you have all you need.
Explain it to the judge like you did in your post and I'm sure you'll do just fine.
Good luck.
2007-12-19 23:54:24 · answer #4 · answered by InReality01 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bet you rolled through and did not make a complete stop. I hear this story all the time.
2007-12-20 00:05:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋