Q: One of two license plate lights were out, got a ticket without warning. Can I fight it? It seems unfair.
I got pulled over and the stated reason was "Your license plate lights are out." I replied that I wasn't aware and thanked her for letting me know. She comes back with a ticket for me. I go home and inspect to find that only one of the lights were out, not both. It seems unfair that she gave me a ticket without giving me a warning about the light. I could understand more if both of the lights were out, but one of them? It seems ridiculous to pay a $54 fine for that without any warning.
A: No warning is required under the law. I suggest that you pay the fine and be thankful she did not look for other things wrong with the car.
A: Although you got a $54 ticket unfortunately it is your responsibility to make sure at all times all of your required lights are working so the cop was only doing his/her job.
A: Because we have no "right" to be warned of a traffic violation, I don't think a judge or prosecutor will agree that you're innocent on that basis. Pay the fine and costs and in the future perform periodic equipment checks on your vehicle. Good luck to you.
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