I have traffic court tomorrow, are there any laws I can use in my defense?

[jen]

A few weeks ago, I apparently ran a red light and was pulled over, however, I don't think its reasonable to have given me a ticket for a few reasons.

Traffic was bumper to bumper as we were in a work zone, and the car behind me was urging me forward into the car in front of me, which was riding the tail of a semi-truck. I was VERY close with these other cars and they were moving steadily through the intersection, I could not see the traffic light, and was not aware there was a traffic light at that intersection at all. Because they were moving and not slowing, and the car behind me was not slowing until the VERY last minute, I went through the intersection, apparently, I and the car in front of me had run a red light.

I live in Oregon, and I am wondering if I should simply explain my situation and hope the judge understands it was an honest mistake, or if there is a law regarding traffic light visibility in Marion County Oregon...

I'm 17 and I've only ever gotten a speeding ticket.

Any help appreciated.

[artzai]

The car behind you cannot "push" you. You should follow the vehicle in front of you to provide a safe distance to stop, if you were following so closely that you could not see the light then you were too close.

So no defense, pay the ticket and move along. You *might* be able to have an attorney get it redued to a non moving violation.

[blaisdell]

you can of course try to explain to the judge. in the end, though, you're responsible and even at the risk of being rear ended, you should nhave stopped

[atworth49]

honestly i have been to a couple of speeding tickets but luckily i got away with it by contesting it thru written declaration. i found this site for you too,hope it helps: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/fighting-traffic-ticket-strategies-30091.html