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Traffic ticket - appeal worth it? (sho'nuff-style drawings included) PRICE CUTS 3/16!

post #1 of 43
2/8/10 at 6:27pm
Thread Starter 
I got a ticket about a month or two back. I pulled up to a red light after having been distracted by a cop car driving over a sidewalk to get out of an adjacent parking lot. He waited as I pulled up to the light. Sitting at the light, I wanted to turn right, and knowing the cop was right behind me, I made absolutely sure there was no "No Turn on Red" (NTOR) sign before turning.

Turns out there was a NTOR sign, but I couldn't see it because it was on the same side of the road as I was on. Most signage is on the other side because that's where the lead driver in the lane can actually see it. This one was totally invisible. I even went back to the scene to make sure a couple days later.

See drawings. Should I bother appealing this? If I don't have a chance I'd like to know now so I don't waste half a day screwing around with this.





=$100 ticket. State is MA.
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post #2 of 43
2/8/10 at 6:35pm
Any points on your license for this offense? Not worth the 100 bucks to screw up full day unless its the principle thats eating you.
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post #3 of 43
2/8/10 at 6:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eztantz View Post
Any points on your license for this offense? Not worth the 100 bucks to screw up full day unless its the principle thats eating you.

I don't know. I have a perfect driving record (no tickets at all) having driven for nearly 10 years. I'm mildly concerned with keeping it pristine, but not terribly so.
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post #4 of 43
2/8/10 at 6:41pm
Haha. My college roomie had this EXACT same scenario in New Jersey, (corner of Prospect Avenue and Washington Rd; you can still see the NTOR sign in google street view, though only from the back side) he appealed it and got nowhere. It's probably worth going to court and explaining things as you may get out of the points but you're paying the fine for sure, and you can add the court costs too. I think the NTOR sign can be wherever the f*ck they want to put it.
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post #5 of 43
2/8/10 at 6:41pm
You probably don't have much of a chance. Unless you get points or can't afford $100, it is not worth going in for.

IANAL but have fought a number of speeding tickets (which is close to this.....) to get them reduced or turned into a charitable contribution (tax deduction) and ensure that my driving record would remain clean.
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post #6 of 43
2/8/10 at 6:41pm
You could save $100 and maybe get the town to fix their signage, which would be good for the community I suppose? What's your time worth? I'd do it if you're not too busy.
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post #7 of 43
2/8/10 at 6:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas View Post
Haha.

My college roomie had this EXACT same scenario in New Jersey, (corner of Prospect Avenue and Washington Rd; you can still see the NTOR sign in google street view, though only from the back side) he appealed it and got nowhere. It's probably worth going to court and explaining things as you may get out of the points but you're paying the fine for sure, and you can add the court costs too. I think the NTOR sign can be wherever the f*ck they want to put it.

Sucks. What if I wear an Isaia suit in a conservative color + somber tie?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnGalt View Post
You probably don't have much of a chance. Unless you get points or can't afford $100, it is not worth going in for.

IANAL but have fought a number of speeding tickets (which is close to this.....) to get them reduced or turned into a charitable contribution (tax deduction) and ensure that my driving record would remain clean.

Good ideas.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Listi View Post
You could save $100 and maybe get the town to fix their signage, which would be good for the community I suppose? What's your time worth? I'd do it if you're not too busy.

I got it rescheduled to my spring break. There are lots of signs in Cambridge that I would like to change. Maybe I will take a list and ask for a "CunningSmeagol Square" at the corner of Linnean and Mass Ave.
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post #8 of 43
2/8/10 at 8:04pm
Semi-related - when I went to take my driving test shortly after my 16th birthday, as we were pulling out of the DMV the instructor told me to go ahead and turn whichever way I wanted at the dead end. For some reason I got it in my head that it would be a good idea to turn left. After sitting there for a pretty awkward 30 seconds or so as I waited for a clear spot in traffic, he pointed out the no left turn sign directly to my right (exactly in the spot of the OP's no turn on red).



I failed.
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post #9 of 43
2/8/10 at 8:33pm
In Texas we have a deferred adjudication program where you can opt for DA and if you keep your record clean for a period of time (90 days I think) with no additional tickets, it basically wipes away the ticket. You have to pay the fine, plus an additional fee ($40 or so), but they don't put it on your driving record.
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post #10 of 43
2/8/10 at 8:37pm
I would go back to the place where it happened, take a photograph showing the poorly signposted instruction and then take it to court.

Mind you, I would fight to the death over getting the wrong change for a newspaper!
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post #11 of 43
2/8/10 at 9:51pm
this has seinfeld episode written all over it
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post #12 of 43
2/8/10 at 11:14pm
Unless the place you live assigns crazy court costs, contest every traffic and speeding ticket.
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post #13 of 43
2/8/10 at 11:43pm
Thread Starter 
25 bux. I thought fair trial was a right I understand this is non refundable even if you win!!
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post #14 of 43
2/9/10 at 1:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by B1FF View Post
Unless the place you live assigns crazy court costs, contest every traffic and speeding ticket.


this. 95% of people plead guilty and pay the fine. dont be part of the herd.

request a 'trial by written declaration' instead of in-court, unless you can present some serious evidence in your favor. cops dont get paid overtime for this, whereas they do w/ in-court appearances. also, dont miss your court date. best if you arrive before it comes due - got my community service (20-someting hrs.) dropped for this reason alone.

if your record is really that clean, on that reason alone, you will NOT have to pay the full amount if you contest.

i got a $800 infraction and after my contest, I paid $50. be prepared to post the full bail if you contest via written declaration though. I had to write a check for the full $800, but 3 months later (i.e today!), got a check for $750.

$750 buys a few choice garments...good luck!
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post #15 of 43
2/9/10 at 2:19am
If it is a poorly placed sign, you might be able to get out of it. Take a picture of where you were and bring that to court. Your illustrations alone might get you out of it if the judge has a half-ass sense of humor. But, if you won't get charged points on your driving record, just suck it up and pay the hundy. Not worth the effort and aggravation of spending your morning in traffic court. Disclaimer: the above is not to be construed as legal advice -- only for lulz.
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