Red Arrow Ticket Help - California

[itwasyellow]

Hello,

I am a college student and while I was returning from a long day of work I was cited for allegedly running a red arrow light.

It happened at a local perpendicular intersection near my home. I started at the south part of the intersection behind a long row of cars (4-6 cars) all waiting to turn left (east). When the light turned green the cars in front of me slowly started moving forward as they usually do when there is a line. When it got to my turn I started speeding up towards the intersection. Right when I approached the intersection about 5-10 feet before the crosswalk, the light turned yellow. I was maybe going 20-25 mph so stopping would have skidded me into the middle of the intersection. I did my best to clear the intersection in an orderly manner but the light ended up turning red near the end of the turn. The police officer in the left lane from the east side then made a U-turn and stopped me. He initially said he was going to charge me with 3 citations (blocking traffic, running the red, something with pedestrians?) and take away my license. What ended up happening was a 489 dollar ticket arrived in the mail. I am leaving for college next weekend so instead of attending trial, I decided to write a trial by declaration. This is a ton of money that is going to be really hard for me to pay so any help would be much appreciated.

I do not know if this is important or not but when the ticket came in the mail under my dad's name probably because his name appears on the registration. The ticket also does not appear online for me or my dad which is why I physically obtained a copy of the citation from the courthouse. The citation itself shows my name as the recipient as well as my drivers license.

 

[army judge]

Hello,

I am a college student and while I was returning from a long day of work I was cited for allegedly running a red arrow light.

It happened at a local perpendicular intersection near my home. I started at the south part of the intersection behind a long row of cars (4-6 cars) all waiting to turn left (east). When the light turned green the cars in front of me slowly started moving forward as they usually do when there is a line. When it got to my turn I started speeding up towards the intersection. Right when I approached the intersection about 5-10 feet before the crosswalk, the light turned yellow. I was maybe going 20-25 mph so stopping would have skidded me into the middle of the intersection. I did my best to clear the intersection in an orderly manner but the light ended up turning red near the end of the turn. The police officer in the left lane from the east side then made a U-turn and stopped me. He initially said he was going to charge me with 3 citations (blocking traffic, running the red, something with pedestrians?) and take away my license. What ended up happening was a 489 dollar ticket arrived in the mail. I am leaving for college next weekend so instead of attending trial, I decided to write a trial by declaration. This is a ton of money that is going to be really hard for me to pay so any help would be much appreciated.

I do not know if this is important or not but when the ticket came in the mail under my dad's name probably because his name appears on the registration. The ticket also does not appear online for me or my dad which is why I physically obtained a copy of the citation from the courthouse. The citation itself shows my name as the recipient as well as my drivers license.

You never beat those things, why bother?
Try traffic school, if its a possibility.

 

[mightymoose]

If you were within the intersection before the light turned red you could be correct, however your comment about speeding up when it was your turn makes it seem as if you were trying to "beat the light". If that is the case the citation might be justified.
You are free to make the argument and see what happens. You could get a reduced fine if nothing else.
Are there any cameras at this intersection?

 

[disagreeable]

The reason you could not stop for the yellow is because you hit the wrong pedal. It happens, next time use the middle one when the light turns yellow. Correct the driver so dad does not get a suspension and cut off your college support and pay your fine. Traffic school is an option.

 

[mightymoose]

Traffic school certainly is an option, but an option that costs more than the initial fine. If money is the issue here you are best of to appear in court and try for a dismissal or reduced fine, and if all else fails set up a payment plan.

 

[Betty3]

Sometimes a traffic law attorney can help you get a dismissal or reduced fine. However, that costs money also just like traffic school. You might consider appearing in court & plead your case yourself.