Disregard Traffic Control Device Right Turn from Straight Lane

[alpalpalp]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: TX

I was the first car in a straight lane. I was having trouble finding the place I needed to go and I needed to get over to the right lane. The car in the right lane was not going right on red ( most likely because there was a bike cop behind us). The lane to my right was NOT a solid line, meaning I thought I could enter if someone let me in. I put my turn signal on, merged over, made a complete stop and turned right on red. The ticket is listed as disregard traffic control device right turn from straight lane. Although I didn't just turn right from the straight lane. Also, the officer listed my car and Blue and it is Silver. This ticket is going to be $270 with no option of defensive driving because I am not a resident of TX. Should I just pay or do I have grounds to fight the ticket? I have had only one speeding ticket 5 years ago, no accidents. I did forget my Drivers license that day but I was not ticketed for that.

[Mr. Knowitall]

You say "I was the first car in a straight lane" - so you were in a lane designated for traffic going straight forward, and were stopped at a red light. There was a car immediately to your right, in a "go straight or turn right" lane and it was going straight. You then put on your turn signal, pulled out into the intersection, and made a right turn in front of that car? How did you do all of that and still make "a complete stop" before turning?