School Zone in Texas, But the Light Was Not Flashing

[andi8481]

I got a ticket this morning for going 29 in a school zone(speed limit is usually 30). I'm familiar with that area, but never noticed the school there, as I normally drive through it aat a different part of the day, but my blind friend needed a ride to work. My problem is this, after I got the ticket I went back around and then saw the sign, but it was blocked by a truck and I swear it couldn't have been flashing the first time through. The ticket was written at 734, I think they are supposed to turn those on at 730. I saw all the kids and wondered about it and was driving carefully, but I did not see the sign because I swear it was not flashing... is there anyway to prove this? I can't go record it this week because I am at work every day except monday at that time. But even if I did go record it on Monday, how can i proove the time it came on for sure and will this work in court. The officer didn't mark school zone on the ticket and explicitly said he was not going to, but when I called the court to just find out what the fine would be they wouldn't tell me because "its going to be in a school zone", despite me telling them the officer intentially left that off. I'm mad about this, because I didn't deserve the ticket in the first place and might just pay it to avoid a problem, but have a bad feeling someone is going to try to put the school zone thing on it... so want to fight.
I might want to add... in Texas, or atleast my part of Texas school zone signs don't have times on them, just say "when flashing"

[lwpat]

In Texas you have the right to request a trial by jury.

[chuckycheese]

I would investigate when the sign is supposed to start flashing. If it is, indeed, 7:30am and the time was 7:34am, you might be able to defend yourself. I would suppose that it is on a timer and would go on at the same time each day. I'd suggest you go over there 2 or 3 mornings to see what time it goes on. There's a good chance you can show that it's not going on at the right time since it could very conceivably be off by a few minutes.