I made a left turn from western onto kent tonight. While the light was yellow I could sware I was in the intersection.

Anyways I got a citation $25 (fee) $110 (court costs)


I havent had a ticket in at least 3 years ( besides a $15 parking ticket)

could I use PJC on this and not have to pay as much?

any other advice would be great

[Edited on February 24, 2006 at 8:38 PM. Reason : s]

2/24/2006 8:37:06 PM

if you do get a PJC, it will be conditional. the condition will be that you pay your court costs. so you might be able to get out of the $25 fee.

but if you think you were not guilty, plead not guilty

i would hang on to that PJC, you never know when you might need it to save your ass. if you havent had a ticket in 3 years your ass doesnt need saving...

[Edited on February 24, 2006 at 8:41 PM. Reason : ...]

2/24/2006 8:40:01 PM

you might be able to get it changed to speeding 9 over, but it varies county by county.

2/24/2006 8:51:47 PM

sware

2/24/2006 8:54:06 PM

sware ( P ) Pronunciation Key (swâr)
v. Archaic
A past tense of swear.

2/24/2006 9:07:22 PM

could've sworn, perhaps?

2/24/2006 9:11:03 PM

that would work too

but sware works well enough in a non grammar conscious messageboard

2/24/2006 9:16:10 PM

is there some way i can go in and just get it dropped without prayer for judgement?


that is my main goal

2/24/2006 10:37:29 PM

I think if you just go in and tell them you'd rather not pay anything they'll be cool with that.


But no, I don't know. I'm always paranoid that I'll get ticketed for something I didn't do and have no recourse because it's my word against a cop's.

2/25/2006 1:48:00 AM

^^haha do you mean like get it dropped WITHOUT a lawyer(as to avoid charges of ANY kind)

i mean its possible

but i wouldnt hold your breath or anything

2/25/2006 1:59:19 AM

Quote :

"sware ( P ) Pronunciation Key (swâr) v. Archaic"

2/25/2006 2:28:48 AM

Attorney

2/25/2006 12:45:33 PM

you can go talk to the da to see if they will drop it. if not, you can plean NG and explain yourself to the judge and ask that he dismiss it. if he says he can't dismiss, you can request a continuance to seek legal council. then you can get a lawyer (james crouch) and get them to get it dropped.

however, a reduction will still resort in court costs, a lawyer will be more.
it depends on how bad you want this gone.

lawyer would be more, but on the other hand, he will most likely get it dropped and will guarantee you no more costs due to insurance increases if you don't get it reduced or ever get another ticket that you can't get rid of.

also, having a lawyer drop it means it won't even show on your driving record (also good for insurance reasons)

2/25/2006 3:32:58 PM

Quote :

"you can go talk to the da to see if they will drop it. if not, you can plean NG and explain yourself to the judge and ask that he dismiss it. if he says he can't dismiss, you can request a continuance to seek legal council. then you can get a lawyer (james crouch) and get them to get it dropped."

be careful with this. if you enter a plea on a citation THEN ask for a continuance the judge will be far less likely to grant the continuance (looks like you're playing games). Best bet is to talk to the DA and see if they'll reduce it (probably will.) the DA's know the drill. they know you just want to avoid insurance increases so tell them this then ask what you can get it reduced to without insurance issues in exchange for pleading responsible/guilty. You'll still pay court costs ($110) but that's nothing much compared to a lawyer or insurance increase. Then talk to the judge. Also doesn't hurt to try to talk to the officer if he's in the court room but some won't talk to people.

2/25/2006 3:40:12 PM

Quote :

"you might be able to get it changed to speeding 9 over, but it varies county by county."

wtf are you talking about?

2/25/2006 5:21:40 PM

^ yeah...I was about to post the same thing....obviously didn't read anything other than the thread title.

2/26/2006 5:37:42 PM

A piece of advice... When going to the court house, dress sharp. Most of the people there look like they were just dragged out of the gutter. Showing a little class and respect goes a long way.

2/26/2006 6:30:03 PM

^ thanks i was going to wear at least a polo and kahkis but now ill probably dress a little nicer

I just want to really talk to the D.A.

I think it was way too close to give a ticket ( I may or may not have been in the intersection by the time the light turned red) If I wasnt already in the intersection, then I had too much momentum to be able to safely stop.

Also, it was checked on the ticket " By entering an intersection while a stoplight was emitting a steady red light" (This leads me to think even if the light had turned red for a half second before I ntered the intersection that its still legal)

The blue lights didnt come on for about a minute or so after I had passed through the intersection. This leads me to believe he wasnt at the proper position to decide whether or not I truly ran the red light.


This is the only "evidence" I have

2/26/2006 10:04:26 PM

Unless you have a witness it's going to be your word against his and the D.A. is ALWAYS going to take the word of the police. Good Luck though!

2/27/2006 11:57:49 AM

i wish the best of luck to you, but that whole argument makes it sound like you are desperately begging not to get the ticket, and i can tell you it's not going to fly.

I also highly doubt they will reduce a redlight violation to a speeding violation (it's one thing to reduce a speeding ticket, it's another to change the charge completely).

if you really want this gone, get a lawyer. otherwise, suck it up and slow down on all yellows wether you think you can make it or not. yellow means slow down, not speed up and try to beat the red. that's what the DA is going to tell you too.

Quote :

"If I wasnt already in the intersection, then I had too much momentum to be able to safely stop."

this means you didn't heed the yellow and sped up, or atleast didn't slow down.

Quote :

"Also, it was checked on the ticket " By entering an intersection while a stoplight was emitting a steady red light" (This leads me to think even if the light had turned red for a half second before I ntered the intersection that its still legal)"

once that light turns red, entering the intersection is illegal. there is no 1/2 second grace period. that's what the yellow is for. you know those redlight cameras? they start flashing the moment that light is red.

Quote :

"The blue lights didnt come on for about a minute or so after I had passed through the intersection. This leads me to believe he wasnt at the proper position to decide whether or not I truly ran the red light."

just because they didn't immediately blue light you doesn't mean they weren't there to see it. they were probably running your plates, seeing if you were going to run, deciding if they wanted to be a dick because you thought you'd be all high and mighty believing you were above the law.

[Edited on February 27, 2006 at 12:29 PM. Reason : .]

2/27/2006 12:23:13 PM

Quote :

"I think it was way too close to give a ticket ( I may or may not have been in the intersection by the time the light turned red) If I wasnt already in the intersection, then I had too much momentum to be able to safely stop. Also, it was checked on the ticket " By entering an intersection while a stoplight was emitting a steady red light" (This leads me to think even if the light had turned red for a half second before I entered the intersection that its still legal)"

being in the intersection isn't the concern. the question is whether you entered the intersection (aka: broke the plane of the intersection) when the light was red.

oh, and http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_affairs/legal_services/legaldocs/Trafcourtinstsht.htm


I successfully fought a red light ticket near the coast (Cartert County)...the light was yellow when i crossed the plane, and when i was in the intersection...it wasn't even close. I had 2 witnesses (other people in my car), pled not-guilty and had it out...got to cross examine the officer and i think i showed he was in no position to monitor wether my light was red or not when i crossed the plane. anyway, the judge dropped it (which a clerk informed me doesn't happen very often.

I would just get a lawyer though, the risk of your insurance going up a shit ton warrants it. You can always go on your court date, ask the assistant DA if he will drop it to where it wont affect your insurance (and he probably wont) then ask for a continuance so you can get legal advice... then get a lawyer and come back.

[Edited on February 27, 2006 at 1:37 PM. Reason : ]

2/27/2006 1:37:15 PM

Did you make a football move?

2/27/2006 1:51:17 PM

ok i pled not guilty


i got some advice that it should got dropped if I keep asking for continuances


I also have some more questions that i couldnt find in the old threads


Will I have a chance to see if the cop is there before I ask for a continuance?

If I am found guilty can I still use PJC as a backup or was that option forfeited when I pled not guilty

4/22/2006 7:55:41 PM

eventually the judge isn't going to grant the continuance then you will be stuck there with no other recourse

you can look to see if the cop is there but just because he isnt doesnt mean he wont show up, also he doesnt have to be there

i would imagine that you forfeit your pjc when you plead guilty

4/22/2006 8:31:47 PM

Also, if the cop isn't there the DA is likely to ask for a continuance (and be granted one).

4/22/2006 8:45:07 PM

The cop asked me if i knew why I was being pulled over and i said yes then he gave me the ticket

I had an expired inspection at the time

Would this be a good counter to the evidence that I admitted guilt?



^ on all the beating a traffic ticket sites ive been to it says if the officer doesnt show its likely to be dismissed

[Edited on April 22, 2006 at 9:09 PM. Reason : f]

4/22/2006 9:08:44 PM

Quote :

"^ yeah...I was about to post the same thing....obviously didn't read anything other than the thread title."

No, when you plea bargain, you agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge. I plead a stop sign ticket to speeding 34 in a 25. Sometimes you can plead it down to improper equipment. But it varies from county to county. They're just after your money.

[Edited on April 22, 2006 at 9:22 PM. Reason : ?]

4/22/2006 9:16:13 PM

just got a ticket turning right on red from western onto avent ferry. cop said since it's under city code, it won't go on my insurance, all i gotta pay is $110 court costs, but it's such a bull shit ticket, does anyone know what are the chances of me going to the DA and just seeing if i can get it dropped, has anyone ever done that? before the court date, and what's the best time to go talk to the DA.

5/22/2006 5:38:45 PM

828-5778

5/22/2006 5:54:39 PM

what's that #?

5/22/2006 6:01:29 PM

http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=deskbar&q=919+828-5778

5/22/2006 6:02:09 PM

Manning & Crouch

ask for Mr. Crouch

5/22/2006 6:02:44 PM

i'm not gonna get a lawyer if it's not gonna go on my insurance/no points.

5/22/2006 6:31:15 PM

whats wrong with right on red?

oh yeah

my court date is on Wednesday

Im going to ask for my 2nd continuance


what are the best excuses (incase i need one)

last time i just asked for a continuance without reason and they gave me one

I heard that I use school, work, vacation but these dont seem reasonable since im already in the court room.




[Edited on May 22, 2006 at 9:01 PM. Reason : s]

5/22/2006 8:59:22 PM

bttt

5/24/2006 2:14:30 AM

^ you are arranging to hire an attorney. they usually take that once or twice.

5/24/2006 2:23:43 AM

thank you


i hope the cop does not show up

knock on wood

5/24/2006 2:25:00 AM

If you have never pled guilty/been convicted of to a misdemeanor you may want to try to get out of it. (or at least confirm it is classified as an infraction not a misdemeanor) Most city ordinance violations are considered misdemeanors meaning on jop/apt/licensing applications they ask for them to be disclosed. No one really gives a shit about them, but for instance if you go to get a Real Estate brokers license with any misdemeanors on your record you get kicked in to a different stack of applicants and must wait for your application to be reviewed. (takes way longer) I am sure there are other professional licenses that have a similar processes.

If it is a misdemeanor (good chance it is) then it might be worth your while to try and get it reduced to an infraction. Thats why I am saying call an attorney. A good one will usually tell you what you are dealing with for no charge.

For instance speeding less than ten over is an infraction but if its like 20 over or anything over 70 its a misdemeanor. Shit like that that you would not know, and the DA wont tell you, an attorney will.

5/24/2006 2:34:16 AM

thanks


went to court today and the cop wasnt there (state asked and got a continuance)

next time im going to ask if the cop will dismiss it, if not i guess ill do pjc

if he doesnt show up next time i think it has a good chance of getting dropped

5/24/2006 2:56:05 PM