Q: I have recently received my first traffic citation and need help on whether I have legitimate grounds to contest.
I am only 17 years old and I was driving at night in a car i'm not fully familiar with. Police lights went up behind me, but I drove in a steady panic for what could've only been half a mile before pulling over (I unfortunately did not put up hazard lights). The officer pressed me on why I resisted arrest and did not immediately pull over, and I pleaded that I was in a fatigued state and was unsure on what to do. Ultimately he gave me a citation for not having my headlights on (I was unsure if this car had automatic headlights) and forgo any charges of resisting arrest, which I felt slightly thankful for. However when I studied my car further I found it DOES have automatic headlights, meaning he only could've pulled me over for inactive tail lights. Is it safe to fully dismiss the citation as it is likely impossible for the headlights to have even been disabled, or can the issue of not immediately pulling over come back to haunt me?
A: No one can predict what a judge will do with your facts. The judge will use the applicable legal standard and decide whether you committed the traffic violation or not. A charge of resisting arrest does not seem likely.
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