Disregarded Red Signal: How Do I Get It Reduced to No Point Violation?

[PoorStudent]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Michigan, Detroit

I was recently coming from Belle Isle after a BBQ with some classmates when I ran a yellow/red light. I can't even really recall how close it was because I was on the phone (I know, I know; the GF was yapping my ear off) So anyways, the officer pulls me over.

Unfortunately for me, my birthday was recently and I hadn't placed the new tags on my plate, and also didn't have a recent copy of proof of insurance. So I hand the officer my driver license and military ID (not active duty) to try and get a couple brownie points. In the meantime I am fumbling, hoping I can find a valid registration. He tells me to bring the registration and proof of insurance to the car once I find it. So a few minutes later I take the walk of shame to tell him I don't have proof of insurance, and the registration I have is expired. He tells me to go back to the vehicle. He then comes back a few minutes later with the citation: disregard red signal, expired plate, and no proof of insurance. I told him it is all up to date, just not on my person to which he replies, "Bring the proof to court and I'll see what I can do."

But what should I do about the disregard red signal?

I'm no stranger to the legal system (only 1 point currently, but several over the past five years) and I have had attorneys get tickets knocked down before, but like my SN says, I'm poor until graduation.

Is it feasible to talk to the officer at the hearing to try and negotiate some type of non-point offense before I am called before the judge? Or should I try and talk to the prosecutor? All I am hoping for is to pay the fine without any points.

Thank you for any input. I truly appreciate any advice offered as I am a novice with legal procedures (not to mention "financially handicapped").

[Mr. Knowitall]

In regard to the expired plate and no proof of insurance citations, if you can submit proof that you had insurance and were properly registered at the time of the traffic stop, I expect that you can get those two tickets dismissed upon submitting evidence of that to the court and/or prosecutor. Check with the court, as some courts will dismiss those tickets as a matter of routine if you show up with proof of insurance and registration. Don't miss the deadlines and default.

As for the other ticket, you can schedule it for a hearing and see what happens. Generally speaking, there's nobody to negotiate with at an informal hearing but if the officer doesn't appear the charge should be dismissed. At a formal hearing you can talk to the prosecutor

[PoorStudent]

I will definitely be bringing in the proof of insurance and registration.

The only thing I am in the dark about is negotiating a citation for no points? Should I straight up ask him to reduce it to something without points? Or should I ask for a specific non-point violation, like impeding traffic?

Will it make it unlikely he will agree since I don't have an attorney?

Thanks for the response.