Turned right on a red light...help!!

[tammyd70]

I moved to North Carolina from Georgia last year. A few weeks ago, I got a ticket for turning right on a red light. I remembered seeing a green arrow, however, I guess I wouldn't have gotten a ticket had it indeed been green. It is now March 17th and my court date is on March 24th. I went to the DA's office in my county and the woman told me that I did not want to use this Prayer for Judgement that everyone has told me about. I want to be assured that I don't get those points on my license, so what is left to do?
I heard of a defensive driving course and am checking into that, but my understanding is that this has to be completed 5 business days before the court date. The next available class is Wednesday, March 18, 2005. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[vamorr]

Prayer For Judgement - left turn on red

In NC as long as you have a NC drivers license you get one Prayer for Judgement every three years. You should appear in court and the DA may even offer you something else - but if not, ask to use you PFJ. Often if you dress nicely, appear in person and are very polite they will "work with you:" anyway. For instance, for speeding - they will often reduce it to 9 miles over which is not reportable to your insurance company. Don't ever just mail your ticket in with the payment. If you appear it's never more money - and usually less. Caution on the PFJ - If you get another moving violation withing the 3 years however - this one will come back onto your record too.

 

[tammyd70]

Thank you for the information. I now know that I did not turn right on red and will be arguing this in court. The cop who pulled me over was in "field training" and put on the ticket that I blew the red light at 35mph. This is totally insane, as I spoke to his superior and was told if that were the case, I would have flipped my minivan. Also, when I confronted the cop, as to why he put I was doing 35 mph, and then told him that I doubted that I even ran the red light because I had the green arrow, he stated that there is not a green arrow there. Well! There is! My husband and I went out there and looked. What I believed has happened is this "young punk of a cop" saw the light turn red and missed when the green arrow came up and then it turned back to red. Amazing! I didn't break the law and ended up with a ticket from some young eager to please rookie!! Now, I may be hiring an attorney, if need be! I do thank you for the info!!

 

[Pendragon]

Take a picture of the intersection with the green turn signal so you can show in court that it does have one. Preferably you can get the street name signs in the picture with it.

 

[tammyd70]

Thank you! I had thought of that, and do intend on doing it. But thanks for reinforcing my thoughts!! I will post the results once I go to court. I do plan on asking for this to be dismissed!!