Her Word Against Mine

Hello, I would love to get some feedback from truckers in this forum. About 3 weeks ago I was pulled over because the police officer said that I disobeyed a traffic signal. I was in the middle of the intersection making a left hand turn when the arrow turned from green to yellow. It's a 3 second yellow arrow so obviously I didn't finish my turn in that amount of time.

What are your thoughts about paying the $164 ticket or hiring a lawyer for a flat fee of $350 to Hopefully amend it to a non moving violation ($450 court fees) or maybe take it to trial to have it thrown out completely?

Has anyone encountered a similar situation? What was the outcome?

What are the consequences if I plead guilty and just pay the ticket?

(Sarcastically)Thank you Suzanne Zimmerman from Elwood, IL police department.

As always thank you TT.

Noel

This is one reason why dash cams are so important. If it were me I would fight it because there's nothing more important in this business then a clean license.

No need to name names, it's not necessary.

I would get a lawyer and make it very clear you need a dismissal. Antimasking laws make pleading it down almost impossible. You're either guilty of what you're accused of or you're not, because you have a CDL.

This is one reason why dash cams are so important. If it were me I would fight it because there's nothing more important in this business then a clean license.

100% agree!

As a CDL holder your livelihood depends on a clean license. It may seem cheaper to just pay the ticket but in reality it isn't. Between possibly losing out on a better paying job (if you choose to leave current company), and increased insurance cost in your personal vehicle its better in the long run to fight every ticket. Most attorneys will offer a free consult to discuss it. The only time you would be required to appear in person is if it goes to trial which isn't likely. I was issued a ticket for $335 a couple years ago. It cost me $600 for the attorney but she was a former traffic court prosecutor in the county it was issued so I felt it was worth the money. I set up an appointment to discuss the ticket and circumstances. Her assistants kept me in the loop what was going on but they took care of everything and ultimately got it tossed without me ever needing to appear in court. I'd definitely fight it. It's highly likely they'll be able to get ahold of the officers dashcam if it goes to trial and if what you stated is the truth I think you'll be ok. Ethical attorneys won't promise you that you'll get the outcome you seek. They'll let you know how confident they are. It's possible you spend the money on an attorney and still get stuck paying the original ticket but it's still worth a shot.

Fight the ticket.

Worth the money to get an attorney on it. I got a speeding ticket in rural NM. For a stated 7 to 9 mph over. Cop was about 5'3" so generally not a real good disposition, but I digress, my attorney got it dismissed, no appearance needed, no record of the stop nor citation on record. Worth the 680 bucks.

Thanks for the advice even though it was to another person. Thats why I chose to sign up for Meltons legal service from an outfit near them. Cause you never know whats going to happen.

This is one reason why dash cams are so important. If it were me I would fight it because there's nothing more important in this business then a clean license.

100% agree!

As a CDL holder your livelihood depends on a clean license. It may seem cheaper to just pay the ticket but in reality it isn't. Between possibly losing out on a better paying job (if you choose to leave current company), and increased insurance cost in your personal vehicle its better in the long run to fight every ticket. Most attorneys will offer a free consult to discuss it. The only time you would be required to appear in person is if it goes to trial which isn't likely. I was issued a ticket for $335 a couple years ago. It cost me $600 for the attorney but she was a former traffic court prosecutor in the county it was issued so I felt it was worth the money. I set up an appointment to discuss the ticket and circumstances. Her assistants kept me in the loop what was going on but they took care of everything and ultimately got it tossed without me ever needing to appear in court. I'd definitely fight it. It's highly likely they'll be able to get ahold of the officers dashcam if it goes to trial and if what you stated is the truth I think you'll be ok. Ethical attorneys won't promise you that you'll get the outcome you seek. They'll let you know how confident they are. It's possible you spend the money on an attorney and still get stuck paying the original ticket but it's still worth a shot.