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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    Exclamation Ticketed for Running a Red Light After Driving Through a Gas Station

    My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: South Dakota

    At 4:50 in the morning In South Dakota. an officer, who initially claimed to pull me over for avoiding a red light, later gave me a ticket stating that it was specifically for running through a red light. While the ticket itself falls under traffic control device violation, the officers reasoning for giving the ticket was different then he originally stated, & NOT what I did. All that aside, my intentions were pure.

    Forgetting my debit card, I drove through the gas station driveway. My fiance borrowed it to get change for her yard sale starting the day before. I have bank statements, & social media pictures that corroborate this.

    I've accepted a different fine before, but I legitimately feel the wronged in this instance. I plead not guilty. How should I defend myself in this case? Thanks.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Ticketed for Running a Red Light After Driving Through a Gas Station

    What is the exact statute that you are cited for violating? Please provide the statute number.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
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    18,340

    Default Re: Ticketed for Running a Red Light After Driving Through a Gas Station

    Quote Quoting JMcGee
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    At 4:50 in the morning In South Dakota. an officer, who initially
    claimed to pull me over for avoiding a red light, later gave me a
    ticket stating that it was specifically for running through a red light.
    While the ticket itself falls under traffic control device violation,
    the officers reasoning for giving the ticket was different then he originally stated,
    & NOT what I did.
    None of that matters because it's not the officer's sworn testimony. When he gets to court he will testify that he observed you entering the gas station on one side and drive out the other side, thus avoiding having to stop and wait for the red light at the corner.

    Quote Quoting JMcGee
    View Post

    All that aside, my intentions were pure.
    Forgetting my debit card, I drove through the gas station driveway. My fiance borrowed
    it to get change for her yard sale starting the day before. I have bank statements, & social
    media pictures that corroborate this.
    Your motives or reasons are irrelevant. Why didn't you just stop, turn around, go out the way you came in, pull up to the light, and wait to make the turn?

    Quote Quoting JMcGee
    View Post

    I've accepted a different fine before, but I legitimately feel the wronged in this instance.
    I plead not guilty. How should I defend myself in this case?
    Just explain it the way you did here and hope for the best.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    4

    Default Re: Ticketed for Running a Red Light After Driving Through a Gas Station

    Quote Quoting adjusterjack
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    None of that matters because it's not the officer's sworn testimony. When he gets to court he will testify that he observed you entering the gas station on one side and drive out the other side, thus avoiding having to stop and wait for the red light at the corner.
    I was given a ticket for running a red light. His words. Not mine. Something I didn't do. As irrelevant as it may be to you, I will not leave that fact in my back pocket when it's time for him & me to talk to the judge.

    Your motives or reasons are irrelevant.
    If I'm truly on trial for "avoiding" something, that brings intentions into the fold. It's not a stop sign violation.

    Why didn't you just stop, turn around, go out the way you came in, pull up to the light, and wait to make the turn
    I'm not driving at 4 in the morning because I like dark skies & empty streets. It was on my way to work. Not to mention given the size of the driveway, & my truck, turning around was not a sensible option.

    Quote Quoting adjusterjack
    View Post
    Just explain it the way you did here and hope for the best.
    Thanks. In the end, that may be all I can do.

    All opinions welcome.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Ticketed for Running a Red Light After Driving Through a Gas Station

    Again,
    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
    View Post
    What is the exact statute that you are cited for violating? Please provide the statute number.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    4

    Default Re: Ticketed for Running a Red Light After Driving Through a Gas Station

    75.003 37a (Driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device.)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Ticketed for Running a Red Light After Driving Through a Gas Station

    Looks like a Sioux Falls ordinance: The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device applicable thereto placed or held in accordance with the provisions of this chapter unless otherwise directed by a traffic or police officer, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle in this chapter.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    4

    Default Re: Ticketed for Running a Red Light After Driving Through a Gas Station

    Right.

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