I just got a red light camera ticket, but...

[Ziggy]

So I'll try and make it short... I was sitting at a red light in the right turning lane, on a four lane road (two lanes each way plus a center turning lane). There were cars ahead of me and behind me. It's a no turn on red intersection. While already sitting at the red light, and emergency vehicle (ambulance or something, don't remember exactly) went through the intersection. I know they have a device to trip the lights to allow the turning lane to go so they can get through the intersection. After that, the traffic light was broken. We were all sitting there for a good 5 minutes. After a while passed, the left turning lane opposite of me just started to go (on red). After they all went, traffic on my side decided to go (lights still red). The two lanes next to me started to go straight across the intersection, the cars ahead of me started to make the right. People were honking to go. So, I made the right.

Now I got the red light ticket, and I'm wondering if it'll be worth it to try and fight it. Technically, I made an illegal turn on red. Even though the light was clearly messed up from the emergency vehicle, I still made an illegal turn on red. And even though EVERY one else was blowing the red light, I can just see the judge saying, "If every one else jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge, would you?" (Is that saying just common in NY or is it widely known in other states?)

I went online to view the video. You can see the truck ahead of me making the right on red, and you can see the cars in the two lanes next to me going straight. The video proves that there was a problem with the light and EVERY one was going, and I was in the middle of it. What was I suppose to do, stay stopped with every one honking at me? Too bad there isn't audio with the video. In addition to that, it lists the yellow and red light times. The red light time was something like 5.4 minutes. I'm betting that's the red light time when I went through it, and that it stayed red a while longer after I was gone.

I'm thinking every one of those cars got red light citations, and I'm thinking that most of them are going to fight it. But all of this being said, I've read in the paper numerous times that pretty much no one gets off from these things. I even read one story where a guy was actually innocent and he still had to jump through hoops to get off. Like I said, I'm just picturing the judge being like, "No, the light was red, guilty. Pay your fine over there." I'll have to use a day off of work to go to court, and the gas there and back (I'm 30-45 minutes from the courts, each way).

So... I don't know. What do you guys think?

[prfsnl_gmr]

Call the DA's office (or clerk's office or whoever handles traffic tickets in your jurisdiction) and explain the situation. I suspect that you are not the only person who received a ticket at the light, and if you let them know that you plan on contesting it, then the charges will probably be dropped or reduced.

[SpoonyBard]

I would call. I was once cited for driving on a suspended registration, I called the DMV to confirm that it was still valid then called the courthouse. I had to go there to file a "not guilty" plea, spoke to the lawyer there and went home. I was told that the case would be dropped and I was not required to appear at the court date.

Might go the same for you, at the very least it would be worth a phone call.

[Ziggy]

Call the DA's office (or clerk's office or whoever handles traffic tickets in your jurisdiction) and explain the situation. I suspect that you are not the only person who received a ticket at the light, and if you let them know that you plan on contesting it, then the charges will probably be dropped or reduced.

It says in like 5 spots on the citation that fines can not be reduced and you can not plead to a lesser charge. But yeah, there's a number to call on the citation, I was thinking about calling and inquiring about it. Maybe I'll give it a week since I only got the ticket in the mail today. Every one else is probably getting theirs today, yesterday or tomorrow. I'm thinking in a week's time, maybe enough people put up a stink about it and if I just call up with the citation number I can get it dropped without needing a court date. Wishful thinking, but yeah.

But do you think the situation I described, that it's credible? Or will they just be like, "Nope, light was red, you guys should have stayed put until it turned green."

[Ziggy]

Also, I was thinking about sitting at that light for a couple of cycles and timing how long the red stays red on average. Just to see if the 5.4 minutes is actually absurd, and that will probably give me a better chance of getting it dropped. I have no idea how long a red light typically stays red, but ~5 minutes sounds like a really long time.

[prfsnl_gmr]

But do you think the situation I described, that it's credible? Or will they just be like, "Nope, light was red, you guys should have stayed put until it turned green."

The DA and judge could go either way, but I suspect they would say:

"I understand why you turned, and we have so many other things going on that its not worth fighting over a single moving violation."

[Hobie-wan]

I'd call right now. Don't wait. With another week they might pull some "maybe you don't remember correctly" nonsense.

[FerretGamer]

I'm thinking every one of those cars got red light citations, and I'm thinking that most of them are going to fight it. But all of this being said, I've read in the paper numerous times that pretty much no one gets off from these things. I even read one story where a guy was actually innocent and he still had to jump through hoops to get off. Like I said, I'm just picturing the judge being like, "No, the light was red, guilty. Pay your fine over there." I'll have to use a day off of work to go to court, and the gas there and back (I'm 30-45 minutes from the courts, each way).

So... I don't know. What do you guys think?

Just pay it because I doubt it is as much as what your time is worth. (time off, gas, driving, court time etc.)

Also, I hate the widespread adoption of the speeding/red light cameras everywhere. DC made almost 30 million in less than a year off the cameras...

Edit: You can call and see what they say as well but yea make sure they document any responses in writing.

[Luke]

So I'll try and make it short...

So... I don't know. What do you guys think?

You didn't make it short enough. Also, you won't speak to a judge. (This is actually friendly advice even if I sound like a buttwad)

Calling the DA may or may not get you to the DA. Busy people they are, so keep that in mind.



Arrive to your court date early and in professional attire. Bring your license, registration, and proof of insurance. If I were in your sticky shoes I would also bring a "Print Screen" copy of the light in question. If the video shows the time and date of the incident (which it should) have that time and date memorized.

When you approach the DA, give him/her the mentioned items and ask for a full dismissal on the grounds of a faulty traffic light. Make your case as clear and succinct as possible. Do not make excuses, and do not mention "I don't know if it was an ambulance or fire truck" or anything that you are unsure of.

"Here is my license, registration, and proof of insurance. I have also provided a photo of the intersection. I am asking for a full dismissal on the count of a faulty traffic light". Then zip you lid, cross your fingers, and I think that is your best bet to get off scott free.

Again, DO NOT SAY "I don't know, some kind of emergency vehicle that can change lights ran by". That won't fly in court.

[Luke]

Just pay it because I doubt it is as much as what your time is worth. (time off...

I've considering getting a speeding ticket just to get a day off.