My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Washington
I was pulled over last Friday and cited for RCW 46.61.050. I was headed northbound on Kirkland Way and came to a complete stop at the intersection when I saw it turn yellow. I then proceeded to make my right turn onto NE 85th Street heading east after stopping quickly when the light turned red. At this recently updated intersection, there is a now an illuminated no turn sign that turns for Kirkland Way traffic when the 114th Ave NE traffic signal turns green. The officer that pulled me over on NE 85th from behind was most likely front in line for the 114th Ave NE traffic signal; hence, he was able to catch up to me and pull me over just pass I-405.
Long story short, the officer said that I turned when that illuminated no turn arrow was on. I told the officer I saw no such arrow when I turned and stuck to that story. Basically I told him I did not see and am not aware of an illuminated no turn arrow at that traffic signal. I was cited at the scene and left immediately. It was around 7pm, dark, and the officer was in a dark blue Ford Expedition.
Last night, I came back to the scene and took some photos and videos of the traffic signal where I was accused of disobeying. There is exactly 3 seconds between the time my traffic light on Kirkland Ave turns red and the No Turn Arrow control device illuminates. The sign illumination coincides directly with the oncoming NE 114th signal turning green.
From reading posts on this forum, it sounds like I have no chance of winning this case based on whether I was guilty or not using the I had a 3 second window before the No turn arrow illuminates argument.
I'm going to submit my ticket to the Kirkland courthouse today marked as Contest. I'll also be retrieving the Discovery documents after I receive my Contest Hearing date. Hopefully I find some good leverage there.
Does anyone here have any additional advice for me? I'm contemplating just hiring a traffic lawyer to ease the pain of argument, but I'm concerned that a lawyer will get the same outcome as me.
I am currently eligible for deferral and have no tickets on record. The cost of deferral is $200 + cost of the $124 ticket according to the form I retrieved through Kirkland Muni. web site. The last ticket I got was when I was 16 years old and that was dismissed after a year of probation. Basically I have 12 years of clean driving history.
Video, Map, and Pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8756135...7632479655123/

