I got a ticket!

On my way to school last night (it was almost 7pm), I have to go through a little tunnel and then right after the tunnel I always turn right into the parking lot. There was a cop there and he turned on his spotlight shining in right at me, I was thinking to myself "Hmmm, I guess he is checking for parking permits." So I proceeded to keep going and then it turned on his lights and kept the stupid spotlight on my car So...he got out of his car and walked up to me, I was sooo confused. He said, "Ma'am...do you know why I pulled you over?" Me: "Um, no, I have no idea." Him: "You can't turn right into the parking lot anymore" Me: "I didn't know that, I've been doing that for about 2 years now, I don't see what the big deal is" Him: "There is a sign right outside the gate that says no right turns". Me: "I didn't see it"(thinking to myself: how could I you were blinding me with that stupid spotlight). So...I thought he was going to give me a warning. Nope! He gave me a ticket and it reads "Disregard traffic control device". UM---HELLO! I am so livid. I want to prove that I am not guilty, but the bus driver that takes us from the parking lot to the school (since it is downtown and it's about 2 miles) said that the sign has been there for 2 weeks. While I walked to my second class, I noticed a ton of people getting pulled over for the slightest things. Thanks for the vent...sorry it's long...what do you guys think I should do, just pay it, take DD if they allow it or plead not guilty?

Originally Posted by laureen227

that's about all you can do. basically, you can go to court, but he won't be there - they'll reschedule for a date when he can be. they told me the court pretty much believes the officer, not the driver. the last time i went to court [instead of taking DD, which i always do when i'm guilty] they offered me deferred adjudication, which is usually a lower fine, with the stipulation that if you receive another ticket within a certain period of time, you have to pay the full amount. since it was about the same price as the DD would be, i took it. if DD had been lower, i'd've done that. i don't think it's right for non-guilty people to have to pay the fines, but since you are guilty of breaking the law, no matter the extenuating circumstances, i'd go ahead and take DD. JMHO, of course!

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Great advice, thank you.

How frustrating, Candie!

That really sucks..sounds like the cop had nothing better to do with his time.

Sheesh....that would make me mad too! I honestly don't know what I would do though.

I would go and fight it. If you really couldn't see the sign b/c the cops were blocking it with the light, then you have a case. I would also mention that the sign is brand new. It helps if you have a good driving record, dress appropriately for court and speak politely and rationally to whoever is hearing your case. It's different in each state.

most the time if you challenge it. if the officer doesnt show up they just drop it. they dont change it so he WILL be there. he just has that one chance. my friend got an MIP and she challeneged it and the officer didnt show up and it got dropped. this is california though..i dont know if other states are different about it