[quote name='SIIK2NR' date='Jan 29 2009, 11:31 AM'] The decision is not yours or his to make.

 

I don't really get it. What was the actual distance that he was in the turn lane before turning? What distance would a person normally be in the turn lane before turning if there were no cars stopped in the normal traffic lane? You normally use the turn lane to decelerate & turn. Depending on the speed of the street, that could take a couple hundred feet. If he wasn't in the turn lane for more than that distance, then I'd say he shouldn't get a ticket.

It's hard to know for sure without having all the details, though.

 

what does it say on your ticket...? find out the specific traffic ordinance you supposedly violated, look at what it says, then based on that make a decision if you think you can fight it.

 

hire a lawyer

 

I'd fight it honestly. That's bullshit. I do that all the time. Does the law specify how long you can be in the lane before turning? What infraction did he write you for in the ticket?

 

I got a ticket for this exact reason, only it was a right-hand turn lane rather than a center one. The cop was a jerk to me as well.

I vote for paying it and moving on; you've got to argue something more substantive than "it's no big deal" though I agree that it's a goofy thing to be fined for.

 

Actually it IS the officers choice to make.

Officer discretion can be a good OR bad thing. In this case, being towards the end of the month... He just chose to be an ass about it.

 

I just really don't get your position. Let me see if I can understand this... Where I live there usually at max, 2 left turn lanes. Now if you're saying you had 3 left turn lanes, and you got in the middle to turn left, I do not see anything you did wrong. Correct me if I'm wrong. If you have the time to fight it, go and fight it. If not, just pay up and move on. If this is considered a moving violation, I would check what to do to get it off your record.

 

Absolutely challenge it. Worst case, you have to pay the fine.

Suggestions:

Dress nicely, suit and tie are in order.
Present your case respectfully and matter of factly, no getting po'd, sarcastic, snotty, etc..

If possible, get a measurement of the distance you were in the turning lane.

Do you know where the officer was before he pulled you over?

As mentioned, see if you can find the specific regulations regarding the turning lane.

If you have Tru TV, catch a few episodes of Speeders Fight Back on Thursday nights. You'll get a good idea of what NOT to do in traffic court.