Ticket woes
 

Got a ticket today. Not speeding, but cited for jumping a red.

I was approaching a T junction (had to turn left or right). The light was red but the junction does not have a 'No right turn on red' sign. Visibility to my left was probably half a mile with no cars coming, so I just slowed and turned the corner going right. Next thing I know, Police flashers and siren.

Officer was very nice about it, even said that if he had seen me slow a little more he would have just cautioned me. Instead I get a $183 ticket and four points.

Professional (and not so professional) opinions welcomed. Should I suck it up or fight it?

I have seen a lot of enforcement out here for that as well. Sorry.

Suck it up. If you rolled through the red you ran the red. Even if there is not a "No right turn on red" sign, you still have to come to a complete stop before turning. Sounds like you did a "California Roll"...

Speaking of California Rolls, I have just fully begun to appreciate sushi. I think I'm hooked on the stuff...

Is there any chance of pedestrian crossing at this intersection? Or is it in the middle of no where?

If its in the middle of no where then I think the ticket is bunk.

If its in a busy area where pedestrians are around then the cop was probably founded in ticketing you.

I rarely stop of rights on red, except in places where there are a lot of pedestrians then I stop and look before going.

"Failure to make a complete stop before turning right on a red light"

Classy revenue gathering move ... my only ticket in 15 years reads exactly that.

This is pretty much in the middle of nowhere - junction is about 100 yards from the on-ramp to the interstate. No buildings of any sort in the vicinity, nearest is probably half a mile away.

can you do traffic school? Sounds like you pretty seriously rolled it (Rick, it's called a "California Stop", please get your terminology right ;) ).

And Rick, you need to come out to California so you can get some seriously fresh sushi...but remember, a california roll is not sushi :p

i thought it was california coast.

mmm, sushi. Cooked fish is pointless.

Pay the ticket, laws are laws.