Pulled over today for running yellow light. Let it go or fight it?
10-26-2011, 02:50 PM
#25
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Case in point...Years ago my parents were in the local Corvette club and were participating in a cruise night (essentially driving around the city and hitting up a local restaurant). One of the members "accelerated aggressively" (the cops words) from a red light and a police officer cited her. She took it to court. The judge asked if there was any tire smoke. The cop replies "no". The judge asked if the tires left marks on the roadway. The cop replies "no". The judge asked if the tires squealled as she pulled away. Again the cop replies "no". The judge then threw out the case and the cop.
If I were the OP, I'd fight it. I'd bet that the cop doesn't even show up since this "judgement call" seems a bit on the gray side.
10-26-2011, 07:18 PM
#26
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A yellow light for me is sound off the train horns, and set the engine brakes to max 
It's basically a point of no return. Your chances might look good, about 80-20. I'd suggest you contest it. Most Judges are fair.
It's basically a point of no return. Your chances might look good, about 80-20. I'd suggest you contest it. Most Judges are fair.
10-26-2011, 08:48 PM
#27
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I would read the law verbatim and if you were within the boundaries of the law fight it, it's so simple to crumble over and not fight, and some may call you a fool for "fighting" it but if you read the law, and you were within the confines of it, I say fight it, by not fighting stuff like this all we do is empower power hungry people like this officer might be, would we rather him think it's ok to keep an eye out for stuff like this? Or realize this is stupid and there are "real" crimes going on out there.
10-27-2011, 12:45 AM
#28
A few guys have already said this but I'd like to state it again. Legally...if you are in the intersection at any point in which the light is yellow...even if it turns red while you're in the middle...if you were in the intersection while the light was yellow it is legal. I personally asked a Ft. Worth police captain when I was in college and he said as long as you're in the intersection at any point where the light is yellow it's legal. If you get a ticket for it don't stand and just pay it. But then again I hate to lose when I know I'm right. There's no way I'd pay that fine. I'd rather spend that money figthing it, no question. But ultimately it's up to you. Good luck.
10-27-2011, 09:11 AM
#30
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Isn't this technically illegal? A police officer's word should never carry more weight than anyone else in the court room. This is usually stated to a jury prior to any testimony given by a police officer. It is the officer's duty to provide evidence that a crime was committed. "Because I said so" doesn't seem to hold up too well.
Case in point...Years ago my parents were in the local Corvette club and were participating in a cruise night (essentially driving around the city and hitting up a local restaurant). One of the members "accelerated aggressively" (the cops words) from a red light and a police officer cited her. She took it to court. The judge asked if there was any tire smoke. The cop replies "no". The judge asked if the tires left marks on the roadway. The cop replies "no". The judge asked if the tires squealled as she pulled away. Again the cop replies "no". The judge then threw out the case and the cop.
If I were the OP, I'd fight it. I'd bet that the cop doesn't even show up since this "judgement call" seems a bit on the gray side.
Case in point...Years ago my parents were in the local Corvette club and were participating in a cruise night (essentially driving around the city and hitting up a local restaurant). One of the members "accelerated aggressively" (the cops words) from a red light and a police officer cited her. She took it to court. The judge asked if there was any tire smoke. The cop replies "no". The judge asked if the tires left marks on the roadway. The cop replies "no". The judge asked if the tires squealled as she pulled away. Again the cop replies "no". The judge then threw out the case and the cop.
If I were the OP, I'd fight it. I'd bet that the cop doesn't even show up since this "judgement call" seems a bit on the gray side.
10-27-2011, 09:42 AM
#31
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Yeah but if you take DD, then you've essentially used up your get out of jail free card, and that's what they're banking on. Besides that, I agree with what's posted above in that its the principle of the matter and standing up for yourself and what's right
10-27-2011, 10:03 AM
#33
You might want to see if they record the traffic at that intersection and request the film if you can.
10-27-2011, 12:04 PM
#35
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That's just it though, why use it up and not be able to have it for just in case for the rest of the year when you weren't in the wrong in the first place? I see what you're saying if you knew for a fact that you were going to lose before you even bothered, but I think he could win
10-27-2011, 12:20 PM
#36
If it was me and it happened exactly how you say it did then I would fight it. Even if you tale DD you still have to go to court and waist time. Ultimately the decision is yours.
BTW you guys are talking and focussing on the legality of the yellow light. You should be focussing on the legality of the red light. If your car has not yet cleared the intersection when the light turns red the n you have violated the law. Where your car is located during the yellow light is completely irrelevant... so...
BTW you guys are talking and focussing on the legality of the yellow light. You should be focussing on the legality of the red light. If your car has not yet cleared the intersection when the light turns red the n you have violated the law. Where your car is located during the yellow light is completely irrelevant... so...
10-27-2011, 12:50 PM
#37
I would read the law verbatim and if you were within the boundaries of the law fight it, it's so simple to crumble over and not fight, and some may call you a fool for "fighting" it but if you read the law, and you were within the confines of it, I say fight it, by not fighting stuff like this all we do is empower power hungry people like this officer might be, would we rather him think it's ok to keep an eye out for stuff like this? Or realize this is stupid and there are "real" crimes going on out there.
10-27-2011, 12:57 PM
#38
1 thing that I hate hearing about isthe how traffic cops are wasting your time because they're not protecting from real crime. You guys should educate yourselves a little more. In Texas, over 40%the of all warrants are picked up from routine traffic stops. Also in Harris county alone thousands of arrests are made every year from contraband being discovered during routine traffic stops as well. Try to have a little more respect for those officers whom are assigned to traffic because they are believe it or not keeping the general public safer.
10-27-2011, 02:14 PM
#39
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That's just it though, why use it up and not be able to have it for just in case for the rest of the year when you weren't in the wrong in the first place? I see what you're saying if you knew for a fact that you were going to lose before you even bothered, but I think he could win
After you use your DD get out of jail free card.
Use your second get out of jail free card called Deferred Ajudication.
The only problem is that if you are such a wreckless and bad driver to where you get a lot of tickets this is a bad option for you. Due to if you get a ticket within the 6 months you are on deferred both will go onto your record.
But like I said if you are getting that many tickets then you need to re-think your driving habits a little anyways. Atleast check your mirrors and make sure there isn't a cop around before doing something stupid.
10-27-2011, 02:36 PM
#40
For those of you that tend to get multiple tickets throughout the year here.
After you use your DD get out of jail free card.
Use your second get out of jail free card called Deferred Ajudication.
The only problem is that if you are such a wreckless and bad driver to where you get a lot of tickets this is a bad option for you. Due to if you get a ticket within the 6 months you are on deferred both will go onto your record.
But like I said if you are getting that many tickets then you need to re-think your driving habits a little anyways. Atleast check your mirrors and make sure there isn't a cop around before doing something stupid.
After you use your DD get out of jail free card.
Use your second get out of jail free card called Deferred Ajudication.
The only problem is that if you are such a wreckless and bad driver to where you get a lot of tickets this is a bad option for you. Due to if you get a ticket within the 6 months you are on deferred both will go onto your record.
But like I said if you are getting that many tickets then you need to re-think your driving habits a little anyways. Atleast check your mirrors and make sure there isn't a cop around before doing something stupid.