You don't have to put on the red light. (Or do you?)
February 19, 2016 8:20 AM Subscribe
I'd like some guidance on how to handle this red light traffic cam ticket in Los Angeles. My court date is today.
So, I made a right on red without the appropriate amount of yielding time at a major intersection near my house in L.A. County. I probably pass through this same intersection dozens of times a day. The intersection in question does not have a "no turn on red" restriction; it was entirely to do with my speed.
I understand the conventional wisdom about red light camera tickets in L.A. County is that they can now be ignored (1) (2) (3), (4) (5), but I'm overly cautious when it comes to the law, so naturally I called to schedule a court date when I got the notice, which - according to source #2 above - means I'm immediately on the hook for the ticket, having now formally acknowledged it to the court.
Whatever the truth may be about all that, I have a court appearance today, and I'm trying to figure out how best to approach the situation. They have video evidence of me, as the driver, driving my own vehicle. My face is visible both in the still photos and the video footage. I don't really think I have a case to say "not guilty" here, because ... well ... it's me. On the other hand, if most of L.A. is choosing to ignore these tickets, I'd like to do my best to at least talk the fine down, since I've apparently fucked myself by even responding.
However, my cat is undergoing significant medical treatments, I'm in the middle of a job change, and I literally don't have $10 to my name at the moment, so I'd like the best advice on getting off the hook as best I can. (The ticket is $500.)
So ... since I can't really dispute the verdict, but I also can't afford the ticket, how should I approach this in court? My informal legal advice from an LEO friend is that the ticket may be dismissed by the judge simply because I went to the trouble of showing up in court, but I'd prefer to get some other opinions. Thanks!
So, I made a right on red without the appropriate amount of yielding time at a major intersection near my house in L.A. County. I probably pass through this same intersection dozens of times a day. The intersection in question does not have a "no turn on red" restriction; it was entirely to do with my speed.
I understand the conventional wisdom about red light camera tickets in L.A. County is that they can now be ignored (1) (2) (3), (4) (5), but I'm overly cautious when it comes to the law, so naturally I called to schedule a court date when I got the notice, which - according to source #2 above - means I'm immediately on the hook for the ticket, having now formally acknowledged it to the court.
Whatever the truth may be about all that, I have a court appearance today, and I'm trying to figure out how best to approach the situation. They have video evidence of me, as the driver, driving my own vehicle. My face is visible both in the still photos and the video footage. I don't really think I have a case to say "not guilty" here, because ... well ... it's me. On the other hand, if most of L.A. is choosing to ignore these tickets, I'd like to do my best to at least talk the fine down, since I've apparently fucked myself by even responding.
However, my cat is undergoing significant medical treatments, I'm in the middle of a job change, and I literally don't have $10 to my name at the moment, so I'd like the best advice on getting off the hook as best I can. (The ticket is $500.)
So ... since I can't really dispute the verdict, but I also can't afford the ticket, how should I approach this in court? My informal legal advice from an LEO friend is that the ticket may be dismissed by the judge simply because I went to the trouble of showing up in court, but I'd prefer to get some other opinions. Thanks!
Depends on the judge, maybe? The one time I went to court to contest a $250ish ticket (MO, non moving violation) I walked up to the bench; without looking up the judge said "50 bucks." I was like, huh? No. I actually want to contest it. The judge looked up, surprised, and said, "huh?" I gave him my paperwork, he looked at it, and told me I could go.
Now YMMV and obviously you don't have exonerating paperwork, and they may look more harshly on moving violations, but the idea that tickets can get reduced just for showing up is not entirely fictional.
posted by telepanda at 9:23 AM on February 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
Now YMMV and obviously you don't have exonerating paperwork, and they may look more harshly on moving violations, but the idea that tickets can get reduced just for showing up is not entirely fictional.
posted by telepanda at 9:23 AM on February 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
This is in Oregon, but the last two I got I just contested by mail, said it wasn't me (had to send copy of my drivers license), and they were dismissed. My take is they're such low resolution that they're pretty legally indefensible if it really came down to it.
posted by gottabefunky at 10:34 AM on February 19, 2016
posted by gottabefunky at 10:34 AM on February 19, 2016
Another Oregonian here, and I got a very similar ticket. I sent in payment for the full amount with a letter explaining the mitigating circumstances (I clearly didn't have food/drink/cigarettes/whatever in my hand and wasn't distracted; opposing traffic both had green arrows, making my turn clear; etc.).
I got a letter back saying the fine had been reduced by almost 2/3 and a refund check for the difference.
posted by tacodave at 12:12 PM on February 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
I got a letter back saying the fine had been reduced by almost 2/3 and a refund check for the difference.
posted by tacodave at 12:12 PM on February 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
What jurisdiction is this? Red light tickets are no longer happening in Los Angeles County Superior Court, so are you going to court in Beverly Hills or something?
Unless you've left off a step, this is your original appear date, so you'll be talking to a clerk and asking for a court date, which will be for next month or later. They might even just waive the ticket, since I believe no one is doing red light tickets anymore.
I've shown up to court in Los Angeles for lots of (much bigger) tickets in my day, and I've had my reduced by at least 70% in every single case. There will be a bailiff to give instructions, but every time I've just stood in front of the judge, agreed that committed whatever the infraction was, affirm that fixed the problem (like expired license or whatever), and then been told to go next door and pay much less than the original fine.
I've never shown any documentation. In fact, the bailiff will probably tell you to not even bring any of that stuff up, since it really doesn't matter. The judge is not going to want to hear about anything else, like your cat or job situation. Stand there, follow his/her instructions, agree you ran the red light, and then accept the likely fine reduction.
posted by sideshow at 3:07 PM on February 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
Unless you've left off a step, this is your original appear date, so you'll be talking to a clerk and asking for a court date, which will be for next month or later. They might even just waive the ticket, since I believe no one is doing red light tickets anymore.
I've shown up to court in Los Angeles for lots of (much bigger) tickets in my day, and I've had my reduced by at least 70% in every single case. There will be a bailiff to give instructions, but every time I've just stood in front of the judge, agreed that committed whatever the infraction was, affirm that fixed the problem (like expired license or whatever), and then been told to go next door and pay much less than the original fine.
I've never shown any documentation. In fact, the bailiff will probably tell you to not even bring any of that stuff up, since it really doesn't matter. The judge is not going to want to hear about anything else, like your cat or job situation. Stand there, follow his/her instructions, agree you ran the red light, and then accept the likely fine reduction.
posted by sideshow at 3:07 PM on February 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by Karaage at 8:26 AM on February 19, 2016 [3 favorites]