Ticket for running a stop sign
I have had a perfect driving record for more than 20 years. Tonight on our way to the grocery store I was pulled over for running a stop sign- a 4 way stop near my house. The cops were backed into a driveway out of sight. I KNOW that I didn't run the stop sign- I go through it every day. My son said that he saw me stop. I did not agree with the ticket and refused to sign. The cop told me that he would take me to jail if I didn't sign. My son got upset, so I went ahead and signed after I read it. Can they really take you to jail if you don't sign? I am so mad. I've got to get my thoughts together and prepare to go to court on Jan. 20. Will they give me a time to appear or do I have to sit in court all day? Should I take my 10 year old with me as a witness? I really don't want him to miss school. Any advice will be appreciated.
Re: Ticket for running a stop sign
Quote:
Quoting
Jill
I have had a perfect driving record for more than 20 years. Tonight on our way to the grocery store I was pulled over for running a stop sign- a 4 way stop near my house. The cops were backed into a driveway out of sight. I KNOW that I didn't run the stop sign- I go through it every day. My son said that he saw me stop. I did not agree with the ticket and refused to sign. The cop told me that he would take me to jail if I didn't sign. My son got upset, so I went ahead and signed after I read it. Can they really take you to jail if you don't sign? I am so mad. I've got to get my thoughts together and prepare to go to court on Jan. 20. Will they give me a time to appear or do I have to sit in court all day? Should I take my 10 year old with me as a witness? I really don't want him to miss school. Any advice will be appreciated.
I know this is old and the OP probably won't be back to the forum at this point. But this sounds a lot like me except I got a ticket for a T-Section, just like the post in this thread who's wife got out of the ticket. The sign was back about 30 feet form the road, I stopped then rolled forward and pulled out. Cops are really crazy for lying about things like this, but I guess they get away with it so much, and there's only a few who fight it and win.
I don't know if I can prove my case. I've already done calculations to know they were lying about seeing me "run" the stop sign. I had to stop, even if there was NO stop sign, there's no choice but to stop and then turn at a T-Section. I don't see giving people tickets for things like that. They clearly cannot see the stop sign when approaching in this situation, so why do they write tickets for it? And they were kind enough to throw in a bogus seat belt charge too, without even mentioning it.
My 9 year old was in the car, he KNOWS I was wearing my seat belt, and he knows I stopped. What kind of example is this for him? A very bad one.