Fighting a Photo Ticket in San Diego, California - Just Smile for the Camera!

Just the thought of being caught on camera doing something perceived as wrong or uncool brings on an anxiety attack for most people, myself included; and it wasn't any different the day I cruised through a yellow light while leaving the posh community of La Jolla in San Diego, Ca, when I saw the quick flicker of the photo box's flash letting me know I had been caught on camera.

I knew then fighting the ticket would be a daunting task but I was up for the challenge because I knew the light was indeed yellow at the time I was crossing the intersection. And so my dreaded court date approached and I was there to appear in traffic court located in Kearny Mesa to fight my frivolous and undeserved ticket. The court clerk called my name and I approached the podium.

The judge began rambling off the ramifications of my offense, I patiently let him proceed then when it was finally my turn to speak I let the judge know that I was indeed in the right to continue through the light as the light was yellow when I began crossing the intersection and turned red after the fact. Also, I pointed out the judge I was driving a large, 15-passenger van. Perhaps if I would have been in a smaller or shorter vehicle the photo box wouldn't have even noticed my car but because of its size I was unjustifiably ticketed.

The judge paused to ponder my point and requested the photos be brought in. He looked each and every photo over skeptically; noting the position of my van at the moment the photos was snapped. I was indeed more than three quarters through the intersection and like I pointed out had I been in a smaller or shorter vehicle we wouldn't be here wasting time and precious tax-payer dollars. The judge agreed with me, case closed end of story.

The moral of this article is this; just because you see that flash flicker don't automatically assume you have just bought yourself a fine. If you know you are in the right away, go and fight the ticket. Believe me, I was discussing my situation with nay-sayers up until the second I approached the podium and they all were quite convinced I'd end up paying the ticket but I didn't because I knew I was right, I showed up, spoke up and fought the ticket. It can be done people! However, I was late and was ordered to pay a civil assessment so if anything at all, be on time!