Has anybody tried to contest a red light ticket in Dallas, TX? And what were the results?

[elkan80]

I was taking a right onto I-35 South from Illinois Ave. (This happened tonight @ 10:25-10:35 pm or so). The first time the camera flashed the light was still yellow, the second time it was red. I was going to stop, but the light was yellow, and I was concerned I was going to be hit by a car on my right that was facing north, so I sped up. It looked like maybe they were drunk. I don't know. If anybody knows this corner, it is extremely dark at night. I have no idea why that car was at that corner facing north. I can only assume they were drunk, and maybe trying to turn around or something. I don't know, but they were either on the shoulder (facing north on a southbound ramp) or on the curb, but in the way of traffic (me) turning right. I'd rather pay a $75 ticket than get hit, I'm just irritated the camera snapped first when the light was still yellow, and what the heck was the car doing there facing northbound on or so close to a southbound ramp? Ugh, I know I will probably just have to pay the ridiculous red light ticket, I just think it's unjust under the circumstances. And yes, before I decided to try to make it through the yellow light, I made sure there were no vehicles coming from any other direction. I mean seriously, what was I supposed to do? I know the typical police response will be to say the light was already red when I started to go through (it wasn't - it was still yellow), and then they're going to tell me, "Well, if he would have hit you it would have been his fault." Right, and anybody from this side of town knows the majority of people around here don't have car insurance. So it would have been on my insurance to pay! Ridiculous! This is what I get for trying to avoid a wreck on a Saturday night, knowing the person was probably drunk! Ugh! Any advice about what to do is appreciated. Thanks!

[jorian23]

Yes, and the result was they were lynched from a nearby tree.

[camdin90]

Oh I'm sure plenty of people have contested it in the past. I would say about 95% of people loose the case though and have to pay the fine anyway. But if you think you can beat the rap and prove you didn't run the red like you can go right ahead. Your case better be damn good though.