Fine for running a red light?

[hlg3771]

I got pulled over last night for running a red light. I entered on a late yellow, and the light turned red when I was in the middle of my turn, but I am not going to fight the ticket because I don't see how I have any sort of defense or way to argue. I feel I would just be wasting a lot of time to go to court and say, "but the light was yellow!" I know that's not going to make any difference. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could tell me what sort of fine I can expect and if I will be able to take traffic school? I have (had :( ) a spotless driving record. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

[Bodie]

Call your local court. Number should be on ticket and you should be even able to pay fine by phone using credit card. As for amount it varies from court to court so you just have to make the call. With spotless record that should be all you have to do.

[Vtfuzz]

$197 in VT, don't know about CA.

[SgtScott31]

Do what Bodie advised. This amount can vary from city to city, county to county, state to state.

In the area I work (Davidson County, Nashville TN), all moving violations within the county are $25 for non-moving and $50 for moving. The next city over, it is at least $100 for any moving violation. State Troopers, the amounts vary depending on the offense.

[calsarge]

Brace yourself for this one .... the minimum fine for any violation of CVC 21453 (subsections based on the type of red light .. solid red, red arrow, etc.) is a base fine of $100 PLUS 210 percent penalty assessment for a total fine of about $310. Depending on the judge or commissioner you go to in asking for traffic school, SOME view traffic school as an administrative procedure rather than a guilty plea. The significance of this is since it is a type of diversion rather than a guilty plea, it is not a conviction and hence they MAY exercise discretion to go under the minimum fine limits. I stress this is a judge by judge or commissioner by commissioner basis and usually requires a personal appearance in court to get this deal. If you just pay what the courtesy notice says when they mail it to you, you will end up paying somewhere near $310 PLUS the traffic school fee of around $50-$60. If you just pay the fine by mail or plead guilty in court, the minimum fine is not waivable.

Since you have a spotless record, you will not have had a traffic conviction in the past 18 months and therefore should be eligible for traffic school.

[kirch]

Here it's $78.50 if written to municipal court, about a hundred bucks more if I write it to the circuit (county) court.

And, at least here in WI, it's actually illegal to enter the intersection when the light is yellow. Early on, when I was making stops for whatever I could possibly find, I cited someone for entering on yellow. He fought it and we won (my first court case), primarily because of some fancy talking by our village attorney. Afterwards, the attorney approached me and said, "Congratulations on your win. Don't ever do that to me again. Writing someone for entering on yellow is a BS ticket."

Lesson #296 for the rookie.

[NBW791]

Ours is $60 fine and $60 court cost.

-Nick-

[Entre Nous]

I'm in CA too. In traffic school we learned that it's okay to be in the intersection when the light turns red, as long as it was yellow when you entered. Is that wrong?

[AnGardaSiochana]

Here it's $78.50 if written to municipal court, about a hundred bucks more if I write it to the circuit (county) court.

And, at least here in WI, it's actually illegal to enter the intersection when the light is yellow. Early on, when I was making stops for whatever I could possibly find, I cited someone for entering on yellow. He fought it and we won (my first court case), primarily because of some fancy talking by our village attorney. Afterwards, the attorney approached me and said, "Congratulations on your win. Don't ever do that to me again. Writing someone for entering on yellow is a BS ticket."

Lesson #296 for the rookie.

Illegal here too unless it was unsafe to stop. But again, rarely if ever written (I did it once but only because he argued the red and admitted orange so it was easier). It also carries 80 euro fine within 21 days, 120 upto 56 days and upto 800 in court. Penalty points start at 4 upto 8 in court.

[hlg3771]

It's legal here to enter on a yellow, and that's what I did, the light turned red after I had entered the intersection. Then there is a 3 second delay before the other light turns green. (does that make sense?) I just don't see how I can fight it, there wasn't a camera or anything. I don't have any proof... it would just be my word against the officers.

Thanks for everyones help!

[Entre Nous]

It's legal here to enter on a yellow, and that's what I did, the light turned red after I had entered the intersection. Then there is a 3 second delay before the other light turns green. (does that make sense?) I just don't see how I can fight it, there wasn't a camera or anything. I don't have any proof... it would just be my word against the officers.

Thanks for everyones help!Oh, okay. Thanks.

[AnGardaSiochana]

It's legal here to enter on a yellow, and that's what I did, the light turned red after I had entered the intersection. Then there is a 3 second delay before the other light turns green. (does that make sense?) I just don't see how I can fight it, there wasn't a camera or anything. I don't have any proof... it would just be my word against the officers.

Thanks for everyones help!
Well thats just it sint it? Your word against the cops. He has no reason to lie whereas you do (the Judges view) but hey, it happens. Least a ticket wont get you life in the Bangkok Hilton