Lane Violation Ticket

[mul781]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Massachusetts
I was driving and came to a red light where there were 2 lanes. The right lane was marked for turning right or going straight and the left lane was for making a left turn. When I saw these signs I was in the left lane but wanted to go straight. I stopped several car lengths behind the stop line and when the light turned green I changed lanes (from a complete stop) so I could get in the right lane to proceed straight. There were solid lines marking the lane. A state police pulled me over and gave me a ticket for a lane violation. Should I fight this? I was at a complete stop and changed lanes so I could be in the correct lane to go straight.
Thanks for any help.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Particularly if your record is clean, I personally would try to negotiate the ticket down or get some other lesser outcome, perhaps even a conditional discharge or (if allowed in your state) deferral.

States typically don't allow lane changes when the lanes are marked with solid lines. If you share the exact statute or ordinance you're charged with violating, including the statute or ordinance number, we can help you look into that for your state.