First Time Going to Court for Red Light Offence, Any Advice?

[Deactivated] on 22/10/2018 - 19:43
Last edited 23/10/2018 - 10:29 by 2 other users

Hi all, I have court coming up for a red light violation that happened a few months ago. I am on red P's and this was my first offence.

It happened in the narrow streets of Parramatta Road. My rear tire was only on 1/3rd of the white line and it was just so insignificant. I was not speeding at all but I thought I saw the light too late to brake and figured it would be fine to go but clearly it wasn't. A few weeks later I got hit with the fine and then I appealed for it to be decided in court, and court is due tomorrow.

I actually don't know the first thing about court.

What are some tips? I will plead guilty because the image shows me over the line but I want reduced penalty as it's my first offence and I didnt think it would have been safe to brake to a stop.

Thanks guys, real nervous for tomorrow.

Automotive

closed Comments

  • Name on 23/10/2018 - 13:31

    Try the route of you had a truck behind you and you were concerned if you braked hard to stop at the red light that the truck would run up the back of you and kill you. Hopefully the photo is from behind you so that the 2 or 3 quick succession photos 'didn't capture the truck'.

    • HighAndDry on 23/10/2018 - 16:14

      Telling OP to lie to a court?

      That's a bold move Cotton, let's see how it plays out.

      • Name on 23/10/2018 - 20:58

        Hah sure is. I wouldn't.. Although I also would have just paid the fine. :p

  • colaman on 23/10/2018 - 13:44
    +2

    Say you sneezed and then saw the light and by then it was too late.

  • jerjergege on 23/10/2018 - 13:58

    Best advice is to make a time machine and tell yourself not to run a red.

  • eferdous on 23/10/2018 - 14:29

    Good luck!I wont say it was insignificant or anything like that to upset them further and use it against you.

  • clemoly on 23/10/2018 - 15:19
    +4

    Declare yourself a sovereign individual who is not subject to admiralty law nor the corporation that calls itself the Government of Australia, and therefore according to the Magna Carta as signed by King John of England you cannot and will not accept any fines or demerit points.

    • h4zey on 23/10/2018 - 16:17

      this is legit!

    • syousef on 23/10/2018 - 16:22
      +1

      Don't forget to declare war on Australia. You might earn free accommodation.

    • pifts on 23/10/2018 - 17:35

      Just make sure you don't walk over a bridge, otherwise admiralty law will apply.

  • lainey13 on 23/10/2018 - 16:06
    +2

    Have any of you actually been to court and seen how they proceed??
    I have attended the morning session of traffic infringements (in Vic) and the amount of people who got off was absolutely amazing. I saw people applying to have license reinstated, drunk drivers, driving without lights, speeding over 40km after speed limit, running red light, turning right or left when there was a no right/left sign…
    Everyone had no fine. No court costs. Even the people who actively argued ("but I didn't run a red light!! It was impossible" "yes I need my license even though I'm convicted of dangerous driving, drunken driving, assault I just need it for my job and I'm not sorry at all" "I was speeding it I need my license to drive 100s of one to check on my numerous chicken farms") STILL got a vastly reduced penalty or absolutely no fine whatsoever. The registrar greatly encouraged people to plead guilty, show remorse, and get let off with good behaviour and even the ones that didn't got away with it.
    YMMV but bring any evidence you have if you want to argue it or plead guilty and explain why u are up for reduced penalty etc etc and see how u go.

    • syousef on 23/10/2018 - 16:21
      -2

      Before you woke up did you see unicorns and fairies too?

      But seriously, that's not typical.

      • Baysew on 23/10/2018 - 17:47

        No need to shoot the messenger, nothing to do with unicorns and fairies. The person is just stating what they observed one morning in court. As they said YMMV.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2018 - 00:09
      +1

      yep, thats exactly how it was when i went too. it was all speeding or red light offenses with only one being domestic abuse. most people with clean record had their fines cancelled and others like myself got severely reduced fines.

  • CandyMan on 23/10/2018 - 16:32

    Any Advice?

    Good luck … you will need it

  • lostn on 23/10/2018 - 17:36
    +1

    I did not know you could contest these things or have the fine reduced. When I got my first (and only) one I just copped the $400.

    My current car has built in GPS that warns me of cameras ahead. It's a money saver. I'm extra careful when I hear it beeping.

    If the lights are still green, I still step off the throttle and let my speed reduce when it's an intersection with a camera. Just in case they decide to spring a yellow on me as I approach. Go or stop? Those marginal calls at mid distance are difficult.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2018 - 00:10

      yea i was in the same boat. if i had decided to stop i would have to brake all the way and would have probably stopped halfway across the white line which wouldve been more dangerous

  • pifts on 23/10/2018 - 17:40
    +1

    Sent you a PM in case you don't see it - can give you somewhat more helpful/practical advice.

    • Baysew on 23/10/2018 - 17:44

      OP was going to court today.

      • pifts on 23/10/2018 - 17:47

        Oh I see. Brain.exe not responding.

  • HeWhoKnows on 23/10/2018 - 17:46
    -2

    You would foolish to appear court without being represented by a solicitor.
    This is RULE No.1

    Judges dont like people dragging things into court that are plain black and white such as your case.
    A good solicitor can buy you some grey area and might get you off with a good behaviour bond possibly without a conviction.

    Suggest you turn up at the court early and ask for the public solicitor.
    Explain the fact you dont have a solicitor and get him/her to seek an adjournment so you can get yourself legal representation.

    And be very very humble and apologetic to the judge if you8 are asked to speak.

    • pifts on 23/10/2018 - 17:47
      +1

      Considering this is the local court on a traffic list, quite the opposite actually.

      • HeWhoKnows on 23/10/2018 - 17:49
        -1

        Yes right Mr Expert.

      • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2018 - 00:11

        that is absolutely correct, only about 10% probably had own lawyer, most represented themselves.

    • lostn on 23/10/2018 - 19:10

      And don't forget, pay for the most expensive lawyer you can find if you want to increase your chances of winning, or losing the minimum amount possible.

  • D6C1 on 23/10/2018 - 19:46
    +3

    OP - what was the outcome from today mate?

    • [Deactivated] on 23/10/2018 - 21:21

      im invested!

  • pingMarky on 23/10/2018 - 19:51

    Sun blinded you. Signs weren't visible. Truck obstructing primary and secondary lanterns. Just got a tinder response. Take your pick.

  • Flanders on 23/10/2018 - 20:07

    Best you can ask for, and will almost certainly get, is REDUCED SUSPENSION ie. Apologize, be very sincere and remorseful, and will probably make it 1 month, instead of 3 month suspension.
    Magistrate must go off similar cases and precedent, therefore he cannot let you off entirely, even if he /she wants to

  • Aneurism on 23/10/2018 - 20:59

    Personally I think it should be fine to ask for leniency for their first offence (eg. no need to pay fine). However I also believe that on occurence of the same violation next time, the person should have to pay double the fee. Might be a pipe dream.

  • ribze1 on 23/10/2018 - 21:25

    LOL

  • WreckTangle on 23/10/2018 - 21:58
    +1

    What happened OP?

  • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2018 - 00:15
    +1

    Jeeeeez the comment section is horrendous. I thought the ozbargain community was nice and helpful? dang. Anywayyyyy.
    I went to court, there were over 20 others with same red light or speeding fines. Most of them got reduced fines or with over 10 years of good history, no fines at all. I had mine reduced from 439 to 100. I was polite, dressed appropriately and had written an explanation letter so i dint even have to speak in court.

    For these types of offenses, almost everyone got reduced penalties like myself OR worst case scenario, if they had terrible track record with more than 2 offenses in the last year then it was the same fine but no extra court fee that i was aware of. but i am not 100% sure about that.

  • Moderatorscrimshaw on 24/10/2018 - 00:31

    Thread closed due to disabled user.

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