Re: Pay it or go to court?
A yellow light means slow and prepare to stop, not proceed. BUT on the same side, the ticket was for running a red not a yellow, so....<br /><br />If it does not cost more for you with time and travel go to court and fight it. First look up the state law on red light offenses and make sure there is not a provision for yellows. Second you do not have to say anything unless they question you. If you represent yourself in this, making a statement or telling the court your side will open yourself to cross examination by the defense. Do not make any statements on your own behalf. <br />The only thing you need to do is introduce doubt. Ask the cop where he was stopped when he saw you. Then ask if he could see the light and your vehicle from where he was stopped. Then ask if it is possible remember POSSIBLE that the light turned yellow to red after you were into the intersection.<br />Then ask if he has a video tape of the offense. This will show he did or did not have a good view of the light and your vehicle.<br />If he says that because his light was green yours had to be red, introduce the idea that maybe the lights are not timed correct or had malfunctioned. Don't have to prove they did, only that they possibly could have. And if that is all he went b y for evidence, you don't have to disprove that either, just simply ask "so you did not in fact see the light in my lane?". If he says no, end there and save it for closing arguements. THEN point out that the officer did not in fact see your red light. <br />Then in closing arguements introduce the opinion that maybe the officer did not see the light clearly, and how hard it would be to see both the light and your vehicle from his vantage point. Don't offend the system by saying he lied, say it is possible he made a mistake. <br /><br />Go for it, what do you have to lose?
