This took place in the city of Los Angeles on 12/16/07 at 9:25am
I was driving on Central between 6th and 5th Streets, in the first of two left turn lanes (to turn onto 5th Street). There are no stop signs for drivers making left turns, but opposing traffic has a stop sign. So people pretty much take this turn at 35+mph.
I turned left onto 5th Street (which is a one-way street) and saw that the street was closed off for a function about 100 years ahead and beyond. There were no detour signs posted and I did not see any other way out of this "dead end".
Since there were no other cars in sight, I turned around... I know, it's a one way street, what was I thinking?? Well, I didn't see anywhere else to go. If the police or DOT had put up signs at the intersection alerting drivers that the street was closed, I never would have even turned left. OR if they had posted "detour signs" I would have taken another option out of the dead end instead of an obviously illegal u-turn.
Anyhow, I was pulled over. The officer and I had a brief and calm talk about what we both think happened, but he just kept saying the obvious over and over - that I had made a u-turn on a one-way street and that he was going to give me a ticket. Then he told me that I could have made a left or a right down an alley on either side of the closure. I told him that I'd see him in court.
I had no idea, this is a VERY bad neighborhood (Skid Row) and I don't like to spend a whole lot of time in this neighborhood alone.
Any advice would be appreciated, I'm going back to the intersection to take photos of the lack of signage and the poor visibility of options once on the closed street.
1. How much is this ticket going to be?
2. Is it worth going to court considering that I did make an illegal U-turn?
3. It is the Dept. of Transportation's responsibility to put out signage to alert drivers of street closures, alternate routes and detours.
4. What is my best way of approaching this in court?
Ideas/Advice?
Thanks!

