[Prissy]

hey guys, I got pulled over couple days ago for passing a red light and got pulled over by a cop. The most F*ed up thing is that I DID NOT run the light... this happened on Northern Blvd. around 111 pct. So here's the story, I didn't run a light I was in the middle of the intersection and then the light turned Yellow then Red very fast, I was hesitated if I should stop or not, but I didn't. The cop pulled me over and I gave them my blah blah blah and my SBA card, one officer said that the PBA card does not allow you to run a red light, I told them I didn't run a red light, one officer did all the talking and still thinks that I did, they went back to the car and wrote me a ticket then came back and said they both reviewed the situation and they saw me hesitating if I was going to stop. but still I got a freaking ticket. I heard that's -3 points right? I am thinking to plead not guilty and go to the hearing... What do you guys think is going to happen? Any tips at hearing/court? should I hire a lawyer or it's something that I can deal easily by myself? Thanks.

[e82mon]

damn man sorry to here that, im from LI to, sucks you got stopped of northern blvd, thats 25A right? and whats "around 111pct*? gotta be careful on 25A man theres always a cop somewhere over there- no exaggeration- always

[BIMMER//DRIMMER]

that sucks, sounds like it'll be ur word against theirs.
getting the lawyer for the hearing always helps, hopefully they let u go with a warning if this is ur first offense

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by Iliveforthis

damn man sorry to here that, im from LI to, sucks you got stopped of northern blvd, thats 25A right? and whats "around 111pct*? gotta be careful on 25A man theres always a cop somewhere over there- no exaggeration- always

it's more near the precinct, I even got a stopping in middle of intersection ticket at the same spot where I got the red light ticket
Anyways any tips at court?

[krote345]

In my experience (I have an abundance), just show up to court and plead your case POLITELY. If you express your concern about points, the judge will usually give you a break and give you something like 'disobeying speed signs' or something similar that does not give you points. A lawyer can't hurt but that depends on how deep your pockets are. I have never used one. Not sure that he would have any evidence to work with anyways.

[vgame64]

This happened to me before...thankfully the police believed me in the end.

[gongtowjai]

Originally Posted by Prissy

hey guys, I got pulled over couple days ago for passing a red light and got pulled over by a cop. The most F*ed up thing is that I DID NOT run the light... this happened on Northern Blvd. around 111 pct. So here's the story, I didn't run a light I was in the middle of the intersection and then the light turned Yellow then Red very fast, I was hesitated if I should stop or not, but I didn't. The cop pulled me over and I gave them my blah blah blah and my SBA card, one officer said that the PBA card does not allow you to run a red light, I told them I didn't run a red light, one officer did all the talking and still thinks that I did, they went back to the car and wrote me a ticket then came back and said they both reviewed the situation and they saw me hesitating if I was going to stop. but still I got a freaking ticket. I heard that's -3 points right? I am thinking to plead not guilty and go to the hearing... What do you guys think is going to happen? Any tips at hearing/court? should I hire a lawyer or it's something that I can deal easily by myself? Thanks.

Is that the light after Main Street on Northern?? or somewhere else.
I know there is a prect there. You should told that sitting in a intersection is dangerous to you too. Running a red is 3pts.The cops should have common sense...they just ticket hungry crap...

[gtrokin330]

i got pulled over right by there the other week...young cops aint got nothing else to do but bother me for tints

[danniexi]

Like any other moving violation, plead not guilty and get a lawyer. If you have no points on your license, then you might be able to just go to court on your own and talk to the prosecutor. They'll hear your side of the story, realize that you are actually a safe driver, and probably just sentence you to pay a small fine ($100 or so).

If you have points on your license, then get a lawyer. You'd much rather spend the money then get any points on your license.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by krote345

In my experience (I have an abundance), just show up to court and plead your case POLITELY. If you express your concern about points, the judge will usually give you a break and give you something like 'disobeying speed signs' or something similar that does not give you points. A lawyer can't hurt but that depends on how deep your pockets are. I have never used one. Not sure that he would have any evidence to work with anyways.

But I already have 2 points on my record... Maybe hiring a lawyer will be better for my case? But likeyou said I have no evidence...

Originally Posted by gongtowjai

Is that the light after Main Street on Northern?? or somewhere else.
I know there is a prect there. You should told that sitting in a intersection is dangerous to you too. Running a red is 3pts.The cops should have common sense...they just ticket hungry crap...

It's around Bell and Northern.

Originally Posted by danniexi

Like any other moving violation, plead not guilty and get a lawyer. If you have no points on your license, then you might be able to just go to court on your own and talk to the prosecutor. They'll hear your side of the story, realize that you are actually a safe driver, and probably just sentence you to pay a small fine ($100 or so).

If you have points on your license, then get a lawyer. You'd much rather spend the money then get any points on your license.

How much is the average lawyer fee for a case like this?
Still... I am kind of confused, the red light ticket is $120 + $60 surchage + $20 fee? If I plead not guilty and go to hearing and they dismissed the ticket, I will still have to pay some fine?

[Kodak]

Your best best is to hire a lawyer , he will point any and all discrepancies of the officer regarding if the red light was working, what was the time sequence of each color change, how many traffic lights are at that intersection, etc.

It might be worth it so your insurance won't go up, and the judge will always check your driving record before she makes her final decision

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by Prissy

How much is the average lawyer fee for a case like this?
Still... I am kind of confused, the red light ticket is $120 + $60 surchage + $20 fee? If I plead not guilty and go to hearing and they dismissed the ticket, I will still have to pay some fine?

Lawyer? Anywhere from $250 - $400. When you plead not guilty, you will essentially be bargaining with the prosecutor; there is not right or wrong in moving violations unless you have tangible evidence that proves that you are innocent. When approaching the prosecutor, you will be asked to discuss the situation; a ticket (especially violations involving points) will almost never be dismissed. Most of the time, the point violation will be dismissed, and you will be prosecuted for something minor (ie. impeding the flow of traffic or something) which will entail you to pay a small fine and receive no points. Again, this usually is possible when you have a clean record. A prosecutor won't bargain with a driver with many points on his license. That is why in many cases, having a lawyer doing the work usually pays off.

Hopefully this clears up some confusion.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by Kodak

Your best best is to hire a lawyer , he will point any and all discrepancies of the officer regarding if the red light was working, what was the time sequence of each color change, how many traffic lights are at that intersection, etc.

It might be worth it so your insurance won't go up, and the judge will always check your driving record before she makes her final decision

Originally Posted by danniexi

Lawyer? Anywhere from $250 - $400. When you plead not guilty, you will essentially be bargaining with the prosecutor; there is not right or wrong in moving violations unless you have tangible evidence that proves that you are innocent. When approaching the prosecutor, you will be asked to discuss the situation; a ticket (especially violations involving points) will almost never be dismissed. Most of the time, the point violation will be dismissed, and you will be prosecuted for something minor (ie. impeding the flow of traffic or something) which will entail you to pay a small fine and receive no points. Again, this usually is possible when you have a clean record. A prosecutor won't bargain with a driver with many points on his license. That is why in many cases, having a lawyer doing the work usually pays off.

Hopefully this clears up some confusion.

Thanks guys, now wish me luck haha

[fizzle]

dont get a lawyer, not going to really do anything you cant do yourself. do this. contact the court, tell them you are pleading not guilty, request the cop to be there, and hopefully talk to the prosecutor and see if he can help you out. that sucks, what did they want you to slam on your brakes to stop? i hate cops like that.

[BIGNTASTIE]

damn, cops usually are okay if your going from yellow to red.. but I guess this particular one didnt meet there monthly ticket quota.. but wow what an asshole. When I was driviing home with alcohol in my system - nowhere near drunk I passed through 3 RED LIGHTS on northern !! passed the red light at the 7-11 in little neck, the one after the dealership and the one after the Dunkin. Mainly beacause I needed to pee and there was Nobody on the road. The cop pulls me over, and actually just gave me a ticket for not haveing a insurance card or something. Anyways goodluck !!

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by fizzle

dont get a lawyer, not going to really do anything you cant do yourself. do this. contact the court, tell them you are pleading not guilty, request the cop to be there, and hopefully talk to the prosecutor and see if he can help you out. that sucks, what did they want you to slam on your brakes to stop? i hate cops like that.

Hate cops. some are nice some are dicks. period

Originally Posted by BIGNTASTIE

damn, cops usually are okay if your going from yellow to red.. but I guess this particular one didnt meet there monthly ticket quota.. but wow what an asshole. When I was driviing home with alcohol in my system - nowhere near drunk I passed through 3 RED LIGHTS on northern !! passed the red light at the 7-11 in little neck, the one after the dealership and the one after the Dunkin. Mainly beacause I needed to pee and there was Nobody on the road. The cop pulls me over, and actually just gave me a ticket for not haveing a insurance card or something. Anyways goodluck !!

Becareful around northern blvd and little neck rd. Theres a red light cam there.

[Shadow_Phantom12]

Originally Posted by BIGNTASTIE

damn, cops usually are okay if your going from yellow to red.. but I guess this particular one didnt meet there monthly ticket quota.. but wow what an asshole. When I was driviing home with alcohol in my system - nowhere near drunk I passed through 3 RED LIGHTS on northern !! passed the red light at the 7-11 in little neck, the one after the dealership and the one after the Dunkin. Mainly beacause I needed to pee and there was Nobody on the road. The cop pulls me over, and actually just gave me a ticket for not haveing a insurance card or something. Anyways goodluck !!

WOW! I know you probably don't wanna hear a lecture, but you shouldn't drive with ANY alcohol in your system. You may not think you're drunk, but your BAC may say otherwise. Add the speeding because you needed to
pee?!! Think about others on the road and the consequences of your actions. Live to see another day and know that you haven't put anyone else's family in danger. If you ever have the time, check out this website
http://www.helpjacqui.com/home.htm

Again, sorry about the lecture, but this is a preventable loss (I love myself, my freedom, and my car too much to even think about drinking and driving).
/end rant

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by fizzle

dont get a lawyer, not going to really do anything you cant do yourself. do this. contact the court, tell them you are pleading not guilty, request the cop to be there, and hopefully talk to the prosecutor and see if he can help you out. that sucks, what did they want you to slam on your brakes to stop? i hate cops like that.

in NYC (5 boroughs, and nassau county, suffolk is not part of the TVB region) there is no prosecutor. moving violations go to an administrative law judge, you're pretty much guilty or not. they will seldom cut you a points deal or even care about your record.
The cop gets all of his cases scheduled at the same time, so the officer basically sits in his chair the entire time. if he doesnt show, its not an automatic dismissal, they will reschedule at HIS convenience.

the cop presents his evidence, you present yours, the ALJ decides.

the ALJ is a lawyer working for the TVB... not a true judge.

spend the money on a lawyer. Traffic Violations Bureau is known in NYC as Thats Very Bad.

i had an 8 point stop dropped to 2 points with a lawyer. you'll need him to impeach the officer's testimony. the people before me got completely lawnmowed, i heard people try to plead good driving record, excuses, etc, all guilty.
this was back in 02, it was 200 per ticket. i got a bulk deal for 500 flat for all of mine. :P

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

in NYC (5 boroughs, and nassau county, suffolk is not part of the TVB region) there is no prosecutor. moving violations go to an administrative law judge, you're pretty much guilty or not. they will seldom cut you a points deal or even care about your record.
The cop gets all of his cases scheduled at the same time, so the officer basically sits in his chair the entire time. if he doesnt show, its not an automatic dismissal, they will reschedule at HIS convenience.

the cop presents his evidence, you present yours, the ALJ decides.

the ALJ is a lawyer working for the TVB... not a true judge.

spend the money on a lawyer. Traffic Violations Bureau is known in NYC as Thats Very Bad.

i had an 8 point stop dropped to 2 points with a lawyer. you'll need him to impeach the officer's testimony. the people before me got completely lawnmowed, i heard people try to plead good driving record, excuses, etc, all guilty.
this was back in 02, it was 200 per ticket. i got a bulk deal for 500 flat for all of mine. :P

Good to know but I heard that if the officer doesn't show up the case will be dismissed? Or that doesn't apply to a red light ticket? Do you still get 3 points if you get the ticket from a traffic light cam instead of an officer?

[BIGNTASTIE]

Originally Posted by Shadow_Phantom12

WOW! I know you probably don't wanna hear a lecture, but you shouldn't drive with ANY alcohol in your system. You may not think you're drunk, but your BAC may say otherwise. Add the speeding because you needed to
pee?!! Think about others on the road and the consequences of your actions. Live to see another day and know that you haven't put anyone else's family in danger. If you ever have the time, check out this website
http://www.helpjacqui.com/home.htm

Again, sorry about the lecture, but this is a preventable loss (I love myself, my freedom, and my car too much to even think about drinking and driving).
/end rant

Well First of all Nowhere did I say I was speeding, Second of all the roads were Clear, this is Northern Blvd with Lots of headlights and clearly visible. and third of all I said i was NOWHERE near drunk, not even tipsy just stating that i had some alc level in me because the cops were nice enuff to even look past that. Trust me I made 100% sure that the road was clear, and that might have been one of the reasons why the cops let me off?

Anway I'm not saying your wrong, we should all be responsible, but again Theres many people who pass red lights, even cops themselves do it all the time, the point is making sure that its clear and safe.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by Prissy

Good to know but I heard that if the officer doesn't show up the case will be dismissed? Or that doesn't apply to a red light ticket? Do you still get 3 points if you get the ticket from a traffic light cam instead of an officer?

traffic cam tickets are fine only, $50-- the car "gets" the ticket and not the driver, since there's no way to establish who was driving the car.

from what i remember, TVB will schedule all the officer's tickets for the same day. if the officer cant make it, they will reschedule once. i have a friend thats NYPD, and they very seldom miss the court date, esp if they are on traffic enforcement detail. they get a performance ding if they dont show, plus its a day with full pay.

[Shadow_Phantom12]

Originally Posted by BIGNTASTIE

Well First of all Nowhere did I say I was speeding, Second of all the roads were Clear, this is Northern Blvd with Lots of headlights and clearly visible. and third of all I said i was NOWHERE near drunk, not even tipsy just stating that i had some alc level in me because the cops were nice enuff to even look past that. Trust me I made 100% sure that the road was clear, and that might have been one of the reasons why the cops let me off?

Anway I'm not saying your wrong, we should all be responsible, but again Theres many people who pass red lights, even cops themselves do it all the time, the point is making sure that its clear and safe.

Don't get defensive. We're all on the same team here. I understand many people run red lights, but anything involving alcohol and a running engine (a BMW engine nonetheless) is not a good combination. I'm glad you made sure the roads were clear and all, but please please please think twice the next time. Everyone's life is precious and alcohol at any amount can certainly slow down your reflexes. Bottom line, just be safe, we're not invincible in our BMWs.
P.S. Your Homer avatar's kinda cute.