I got a ticket this past thursday for stopping at a red light in austin wanting to turn right, however the sign above said no right turn on red. So i wait for it to turn green, however this jackass keeps on honking at me from behind not knowing the law. Rather than getting out and beating his ass in, I just decide to turn right when there is no sight of traffic coming on. The jackass turns right as well while it is still red. 20 yards after I turned there are 2 motorcycle cops just giving out tickets left and right to people to meet their quota. The cop signals me over because it was traffic time and gives me a ticket rather than the other idiot as well. I proceed to tell him I know I wasn't supposed to turn but this idiot kept on honking at me. He didn't care so I didn't say anything else to him figuring I'll just take it up at court. I've gotten tickets before and have admitted fault in all of them, and just paid the fine or defensive driving. But this time I am 100% innocent in my eyes, and the jackass cop should have just given a warning anyway, especially since most people think you can automatically turn right on a red without traffic. The ticket is 167 bucks, defensive driving is like 110, but I refuse to pay for this BS. I want to know does anyone know of a cheap lawyer in Austin? I know in Houston there was that citizen law one that was like 30 bucks. What are my options in court if I represent myself. I know I should request a jury(is it a jury of my peers btw? Im a student at UT), but I was wondering what is the consequence if I am found guilty somehow? Do I still get the option to take defensive driving if found guilty? Or do I have to take the insurance hit and pay the fine?
Why are you innocent, exactly? It had a no right turn on red sign and you turned right on red, didn't you? Just because some guy is honking at you and doesn't follow the law either doesn't make you innocent.
Was it on guadalupe on 21st? I hate that light. No turn on right. I've had buses honk at me before on the right lane.
You gotta trial by jury that one and just Jerry Seinfeld stand-up your way to freedom. Just seem human. Except you wont have to, it won't go that far. It'll waste your day but it is what it is.
By your own admission, you're guilty. "because the guy behind me kept honking" isn't a legal defense. Nor is, "the officer should've given me a warning." You admit that you knew it was illegal to turn there (though even if you didn't it wouldn't be a defense as ignorance of the law is not a defense) and you turned anyway. Regardless of your feelings of why the cop gave you the ticket - you just admitted to all the elements of the charge. A jury of your peers doesn't mean only people from UT...it just means citizens. It is whomever comes in on their jury summons that day. Keep in mind, if you go in front of a jury pro se (by yourself, without an attorney) you'll be held to the same rules of evidence an attorney would (i.e. it's not just you standing up and saying this is what happened to me, etc). If you are found guilty you will have to pay whatever fine the jury assess plus court costs and it will go on your driving record. Because it is a moving violation you'll get points on your license (which is no big deal unless you already have a lot of points) and your insurance will go up.
I would have just been like "Cant turn on red your stupid f**K"......to the guy behind me. Blowing your horn when your behind me Isnt gonna speed things up. Ill try to make them worse for you for being an immpatient d**k.
You are kind of hosed on this one. I don't think you'd win in court with your argument, since you knew it was illegal to turn right on red. Better just hope the cop doesn't show up and you get it dismissed
You are not 100% innocent. You are 100% guilty. You understand the law. You read the sign. No one put a gun to your head. The guy behind you wasn't ramming you. Please explain how you are not at fault? By your own logic, I should be able to run a red light if the guy behind me wants me to?
You turned right on red. Tell that guy behind you to **** off. If he's a native, he's probably a pansy* and won't do ****. *I really meant cat
butterfingers: Your honor, I plead 100% innocent. You see, I was stopped at the red light because the sign said "no right on red." However, the guy behind me started honking at me to turn. I had no choice. Judge: So you're claiming diminished capacity?
Me too. I like to drive in the left lane on the freeways. Always go fast, but don't drive crazy. I hate it when I'm going 75-85 and can't really go faster cause their are cars in front of me. Then some idiot behind me starts tailgating really close. Where exactly does he think I'm gonna go? I calmly proceed to slow down below 60 so the **** nutt can really get the message. Won't let him pass me up either. /rant
