Location Transport

Under 21 Rescheduled Court Date?

Today I had to appear in court (Atlanta, GA) for "failure to obey traffic control device" which in terms means I ran a red light according to the officer that stopped me. On the day I was stopped, I was making a left turn; the light only controls left turns. I noticed the police officer before I got to the light and was driving to make a left turn well within the speed limit. Just before I could make it to the white line the light proceeds to turn yellow, then turns red as I entered the intersection. I walk by the light everyday and know exactly how long it takes before it turns to red which is approx 4 seconds. So this means on the 4th second, I had already passed the YELLOW light. There was no chance of me slowing down because I knew I had enough time to make the light; as well as my conspicuous knowledge of the policeman waiting at the red light. I'd figured he'd have sense enough to realized I didn't run the light and couldn't slow down due to me approaching the yellow light at a safe speed. He was waiting in the far right lane and I had no clue as to how he knew I supposedly ran the light; since this is the only traffic light for left turns (I've included a diagram I made to make it easier to understand). His light turns green just 2 seconds after mine turns red. So this means if the light turned red for me after my 4th second, I didn't affect the flow of his traffic because there were 2 seconds left before it was time for them to go. So I'm still clueless as to how he figured I ran the light in broad daylight. Apparently since I'm under 21 (20 yrs), the judge couldn't talk to me today without a parent. I'm a college student living on my own taking care of myself without the constant aid of parents (who are in another state). My court date was rescheduled to May 21. The only thing I could plea to was Not Guilty, then come back and state my side of the story with the officer present. Honestly, I think this should be dismissed and I'm trying to find a way to keep from being in court with the officer. They always win their side of the story no matter what I say. This is my first ticket ever and I barely drive. I rely on public transportation and my own two legs for now. That day, I was using a friends vehicle. Someone told me to try and reschedule my court date a third time ( I guess to try and keep the officer from showing up hoping his schedule doesn't allow him to which would be an automatic dismissal). I really need advice here as to what to do to prepare from here. http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=9i8bk4&s=5

Public Comments

1. I hope the officer does not know about Yahoo!Answers. A college student is not generally regarded as emancipated. Merely living apart from your parents is not enough, especially if you are in an "in loco parentis" situation, which you are by going to college. Your investigative data are interesting, and might convince a judge to dismiss your charges, but I would recommend getting videotape or other electronic evidence or independent verification of the settings (Public Safety Dept. usually sets those). Keep in mind also that traffic light timings are set to change according to customary traffic conditions, so make your observations at the the same time of day, or use the traffic dept. record of the settings. As for changing the hearing date, the court may be able to use the officer's affidavit, which would defeat the purpose of undermining his credibility (and the expression on his face) as it becomes clear to him that he was in fact clueless about the light settings.