How to fight a traffic ticket

Question

Just recently my dad got his first traffic ticket. It was for $485 plus 3 demerit points for failure to change lane for a stop emergency vehicle. There were two cars in front of him so he didn't see the cop car that was pulled over on the side. By the time he saw the cop car, the left lane was not clear and safe enough to make the left lane change in time. How should he plead and what’s the best route for him to go about fighting this ticket.

Answer 1

The law requires you to move over, or slow down, when passing a stopped emergency vehicle. He does not have to be speeding to be in violation.

If he didn't see the officer, and didn't have time to slow down, then one of two things happened. Either he was not paying attention, or he was too close behind the other two cars. If either of those happened, that does not excuse the violation.

Answer 2

Contest the ticket in court. You can read up on the details and advice on how to behave in court on the blog  spot below. Good luck.

Answer 3

Well for starters I am on the receiving end of ppl not moving over and it sucks..... He will probably not be able to fight that because ( in this state) the law states that you must move over OR slow to the point that you could stop, meaning that if you are not able to move over then you need to slow down to the point that if something came out into the road way you could stop

Answer 4

I would definitely fight it.  He COULD just go to the police department, pay the fine, then go to traffic school so it isn't on his record, but he should go, pay it, and set up a court date.  When he goes into court, the judge will eventually call his name (MANY other people will be there for similar things) and he will stand up and state what happened and why he believes he should not receive the ticket. If the cop fails to show up, your dad will be fine, and will win without even saying what happened.  I recently went to court over something similar, and the douche bag cop never even showed up!  :)