If you receive a stop sign or red-light ticket in Kern County, CA, you should consult a Central Valley traffic ticket attorney to discuss your options.
Handling Stop Sign or Red-Light Tickets in Kern County, CA
Receiving a citation for running a stop sign or red light can be stressful, particularly when it arrives unexpectedly in the mail, leaving you with only a short time to respond.
These types of tickets are common in California and can result in steep fines along with points being added to your motor vehicle driving record (MVR) under the Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS).
Camera-Enforced vs. Roadside Stop Tickets: What's the Difference?
In Kern County, CA, a camera-enforced red-light ticket will cost close to $500.
On the other hand, if an officer pulls you over for running a stop sign or red light, the fine is significantly lower, around $238.
The higher cost of photo-enforced tickets is due in part to the state's need to compensate the private companies maintaining the camera systems.
However, camera tickets are sometimes easier to contest, especially if you weren’t behind the wheel at the time of the incident.
Proving Responsibility for Stop Sign or Red-Light Tickets
One key point to remember if you receive a camera-issued ticket is that the burden of proof lies with the state. You are not required to prove that you weren't driving when the violation occurred.
An experienced traffic attorney can advocate for you in court, potentially avoiding questions like, "Who was driving?"
This distinction can be crucial, as identifying someone else, such as a family member covered under your insurance, may not help your case. Moreover, if you're pushed to provide an answer, it could still negatively affect your insurance premiums.
If it were a teen on your policy, it could mean the difference of thousands of dollars per year.
An attorney can argue on your behalf by simply stating, “My client wasn’t the driver, as you can see in the photo, your honor.”
Common Defenses for Stop Sign or Red-Light Tickets
If you’ve been cited for running a stop sign or red light in Kern County, CA, there are several defenses you may be able to use.
The most straightforward defense is that you weren’t driving the vehicle when the violation took place. In this case, you can argue that you're not liable for the ticket.
Other potential defenses could involve the signage or light itself.
For example, if a stop sign was newly installed, partially covered, or poorly visible, this could be a valid reason to challenge the citation.
Another defense might be based on the duration of the yellow light at the intersection. If the light changed more quickly than regulations in the CA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) allow, making it unsafe to stop, this can also serve as a solid defense.
The CA MUTCD ties the yellow light to red differential to the speed limit along the road the intersection where the red-light is located.
Many California municipalities have faced such issues, and a traffic lawyer can help you build a strong case.
Why You Should Hire a Traffic Attorney for Stop Sign or Red-Light Tickets
If you're cited for running a stop sign or red light in Kern County, CA, it’s essential to consider hiring a traffic attorney.
Attorneys experienced in traffic law understand California’s complex legal framework and can explain your rights and options.
A lawyer can help develop a defense strategy tailored to your situation and may even negotiate a reduction or dismissal of the charges. This can protect your driving record from acquiring points and prevent increases in your insurance premiums.
In addition, a lawyer can handle the court proceedings on your behalf, sparing you the time and stress of dealing with it yourself. Securing a no-point conviction, which a traffic attorney might achieve, can save you from higher insurance costs.
Many drivers don’t realize that avoiding points could potentially save them hundreds of dollars annually in auto insurance premiums.
Overall, investing in a traffic attorney for your stop sign or red-light ticket can be a smart decision that protects both your driving record and your financial well-being from an extreme rise in insurance premium.
Even a first-time paid fine or conviction for a minor infraction could mean a raise in your premium for full coverage by $700 annually or $2,200 when there is a teen on your policy, which could wreak havoc on your family budget.
Ask a Central Valley traffic attorney.
Consult with Bigger & Harman about a Stop Sign or Red-Light Ticket
If you have a stop sign or red-light ticket pending in Porterville or Visalia Courthouse in Kern County, contact Bigger & Harman, APC, at (661) 349-9300 Se habla Español (661) 349-9755.
Otherwise, use their handy contact form or email attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
References:
The CA Driver Handbook English y Español.
The Bankrate.com article, Average cost of car insurance in CA for 2024.