Failure to Remain Stopped at a Red Light

[Tlee031]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: California.

Hi,

My name is Tommy. Today I got a ticket for California violation 21453(A)VC. Officer wrote on the ticket "Failure to remain stopped at a red signal light".

Well my case is a bit different from the usual 21453(A)VC violations. What happened was:

I was at a stop light waiting while listening to some music, in the middle of the lanes. I was in the lane adjacent to the left turn lane. There's a bit of traffic as I was in the SoCal area, and as I was thinking to myself about some matters, I see a green light. I instinctively put it in gear and gas a little but then I realized it was a green light for the left turn lane. I quickly brake and reverse back into my spot. A officer pulls me over as our lanes turn green and I get the ticket.

I did drove forward about a few feet before I realized, but nothing that would endanger the opposite lane's left turn cars. Now I'm wondering if there's any way I can contest this ticket and be successful? Thanks for all the help in advance, as nothing I googled was really useful in my case.

[quirkyquark]

Your only hope to contest it is for a procedural error, i.e. officer does not return his written declaration or does not show up for court.

[PTPD22]

Yep, if you crossed the restraining line or entered into the intersection - even by "a few feet" - you are in violation. Personally, I think this pretty petty to actually write a cite for, but I wasn't the citing officer.

[That Guy]

... And the officer need not prove that you necessarily "endangered anyone/anything" to prove that you committed the violation!