CVC 21453(a):
21453. (a) A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall
stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the
crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then
before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an
indication to proceed is shown, except as provided in subdivision
(b).
(b) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, a driver,
after stopping as required by subdivision (a), facing a steady
circular red signal, may turn right, or turn left from a one-way
street onto a one-way street. A driver making that turn shall yield
the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk
and to any vehicle that has approached or is approaching so closely
as to constitute an immediate hazard to the driver, and shall
continue to yield the right-of-way to that vehicle until the driver
can proceed with reasonable safety.
You are required to stop at the marked limit line or before entering the near side crosswalk. The fact that you believe 99% of America rolls these stops is entirely irrelevant.
There may be some litigation concerning your stop light enforcement system or intersection, but you might have to speak to an attorney in the know, or try Googling the intersection a few different ways to see what comes up. Most these suits and problems have been dealt with, but I am sure there are still a few out there.
Your problem here is that you admittedly did NOT come to a complete stop as required by CA law. So, you ARE guilty of the offense. However, you are always welcome to go to trial and compel the state to prove it was you in the car.
Keep in mind that if you take the stand at a trial, it is common practice in CA traffic courts to take the option of traffic school OFF the table. So, you might want to consider that if you actually choose to take the stand at trial.
- Carl