My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: California
I had a green light so proceeded towards intesection but had to yield to oncoming traffic. I was finally able to turn left on a yellow light. Officer issued a CVC 21453(a), failure to yield to a red light.
This took place last year around August 2010 (around time when Sonoma County said they would increase moving citation ticketing), 10pm at night and the cross walk is not the typical white line type. Instead they had cobblestone pavement as designated crosswalk which would have made it difficult for the officer to see from his car with limited lighting.
How can I fight and win this case? Can I bring my own photos or videos? How can I get a hold of the officer's video assuming there is one recorded from his car? I also have two witnesses (passengers) that might be able to testify at trial. The officer did not put his sirens on right away. I was pulled over 5 blocks later. He also made the mistake of saying my passenger was 1 male and 1 female, when they are both female.
I contested it by Trial by Declaration but was found guilty. Got a hold of his written declaration and he stated I turned left approx 1-2 seconds after the light turned solid red. This is completely false. This is a 4 way intersection with medium traffic and I would have caused an accident if that was the case.
He also falsely said that I did not provide any reason for entering the intersection. I told him I had turned on a yellow light and he even said that I can contest it and thanked me for cooperating.
Please help! Trial is on March 5! :-(

