fight red light ticket?
07-13-14, 09:56 AM
#1
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fight red light ticket?
hi everyone 
i recently got a ticket for running a red light at another city that's like 3 hours away. normally i would just pay but i want to fight it this time b/c i know i wasn't at fault. i also recently just took traffic school so that's not an option. what i can do at this point:
1. plead not guilty - pay and request court trial date or trial by written declaration
2. appear in court
does anyone know how the process of option #1 works? can i request the court to be relocated to my own city? a lot of people say you can postpone the court date so chances of officer showing up is less, but should i do that with option 1 or 2? what should i do to maximize chance of winning?
any insight will be greatly appreciated thanks!
i recently got a ticket for running a red light at another city that's like 3 hours away. normally i would just pay but i want to fight it this time b/c i know i wasn't at fault. i also recently just took traffic school so that's not an option. what i can do at this point:
1. plead not guilty - pay and request court trial date or trial by written declaration
2. appear in court
does anyone know how the process of option #1 works? can i request the court to be relocated to my own city? a lot of people say you can postpone the court date so chances of officer showing up is less, but should i do that with option 1 or 2? what should i do to maximize chance of winning?
any insight will be greatly appreciated
thanks!
07-13-14, 10:55 AM
#3
Driver
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Postpone the bail amount date as long as possible. I normally do it online for the first couple of extensions but after that I call the court and tell them that I can't make it. They're usually pretty helpful.
After you've extended it x amount of months, you have to request the written trial by declaration and send that in along with your bail amount. And then the waiting game begins.
Good luck
After you've extended it x amount of months, you have to request the written trial by declaration and send that in along with your bail amount. And then the waiting game begins.
Good luck
07-13-14, 12:15 PM
#5
Yes, please explain how it wasn't your fault. Did the officer issue the ticket? Or you get one in the mail? If you got one in the mail then you are most likely guilty. They should have a link to the picture and video of the actual offense. The video usually clearly show whether one ran the light or not. Good luck.
07-13-14, 12:27 PM
#7
Man, we could only wish that is the cost here in CA. Not sure where the OP is from but typically the cost of running a red light is $490 for California drivers, while rolling through a*stop*sign*will cost $238 (except for illegal aliens, driving without driver licenses/insurance). Welcome to the People Republic of California!
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07-13-14, 12:49 PM
#8
Man, we could only wish that is the cost here in CA. Not sure where the OP is from but typically the cost of running a red light is $490 for California drivers, while rolling through a*stop*sign*will cost $238 (except for illegal aliens, driving without driver licenses/insurance). Welcome to the People Republic of California!
Surprising with the cost of everything here in Jersey,traffic violation fines are very low compared to CA.
07-13-14, 01:02 PM
#9
How is it not your fault though? I've seen people stuck in intersections on yellow/red lights because the lane gets backed up and even then they'd still be at fault for not waiting till it cleared enough.
If Ur guilty just go to court and say so. Cop no shows its dropped... cop shows the judge will lower the fine for you taking the time to show up if agree you are guilty.
But what happened that makes you not guilty just really interested in this1
If Ur guilty just go to court and say so. Cop no shows its dropped... cop shows the judge will lower the fine for you taking the time to show up if agree you are guilty.
But what happened that makes you not guilty just really interested in this1
07-13-14, 01:43 PM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
Unless the camera snapped your photo while making a legal right on red, how is it not your fault? Running a red light is a pretty bright line standard.
Right--legally, you are not supposed to "block the box", and you should not be entering the intersection if you can't go all the way through.
Just own up and pay it--they are generally no points.
I've seen people stuck in intersections on yellow/red lights because the lane gets backed up and even then they'd still be at fault for not waiting till it cleared enough.
Just own up and pay it--they are generally no points.
07-13-14, 04:06 PM
#12
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Postpone the bail amount date as long as possible. I normally do it online for the first couple of extensions but after that I call the court and tell them that I can't make it. They're usually pretty helpful.
After you've extended it x amount of months, you have to request the written trial by declaration and send that in along with your bail amount. And then the waiting game begins.
Good luck
After you've extended it x amount of months, you have to request the written trial by declaration and send that in along with your bail amount. And then the waiting game begins.
Good luck
07-13-14, 04:17 PM
#13
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Yes, please explain how it wasn't your fault. Did the officer issue the ticket? Or you get one in the mail? If you got one in the mail then you are most likely guilty. They should have a link to the picture and video of the actual offense. The video usually clearly show whether one ran the light or not. Good luck.
Man, we could only wish that is the cost here in CA. Not sure where the OP is from but typically the cost of running a red light is $490 for California drivers, while rolling through a*stop*sign*will cost $238 (except for illegal aliens, driving without driver licenses/insurance). Welcome to the People Republic of California!
How is it not your fault though? I've seen people stuck in intersections on yellow/red lights because the lane gets backed up and even then they'd still be at fault for not waiting till it cleared enough.
If Ur guilty just go to court and say so. Cop no shows its dropped... cop shows the judge will lower the fine for you taking the time to show up if agree you are guilty.
But what happened that makes you not guilty just really interested in this1
If Ur guilty just go to court and say so. Cop no shows its dropped... cop shows the judge will lower the fine for you taking the time to show up if agree you are guilty.
But what happened that makes you not guilty just really interested in this1
Unless the camera snapped your photo while making a legal right on red, how is it not your fault? Running a red light is a pretty bright line standard.
Right--legally, you are not supposed to "block the box", and you should not be entering the intersection if you can't go all the way through.
Just own up and pay it--they are generally no points.
Right--legally, you are not supposed to "block the box", and you should not be entering the intersection if you can't go all the way through.
Just own up and pay it--they are generally no points.
07-13-14, 06:31 PM
#15
^^ I would agree. A cop's word is always taken over your word in court. You will lose if you have to contest it in court.
Delay it as long as you can. Then you can contest it in writing, explaining your situation. Most likely you'll lose this way. But you can still request a court date after this.
Hopefully the cop is a no show and you win. Then, even if he does show up, hopefully he won't remember it clearly. You may be able to win this way.
I think there are companies that will fight the ticket for you. Can't remember the companies but you can do a search.
Good luck! Hope it works out...at least with a lower bail amount.
Delay it as long as you can. Then you can contest it in writing, explaining your situation. Most likely you'll lose this way. But you can still request a court date after this.
Hopefully the cop is a no show and you win. Then, even if he does show up, hopefully he won't remember it clearly. You may be able to win this way.
I think there are companies that will fight the ticket for you. Can't remember the companies but you can do a search.
Good luck! Hope it works out...at least with a lower bail amount.