Ticket for not stopping at a red light?

Question

So i got a ticket for not stopping at red light to make a right turn. I did stop at the light but my problem was that I did not stop behind the marked line. And since i was driving in a town where speed limit is lower compared to sacramento. I was new to the town and i didnt see any speed signs from the street i went to. On the ticket it says that i failed to stop at the light. Can i use that against the officer that he didnt write that I did stop but i didnt stop behind the marked line?

Kenneth Hallum · Answer

You may try to use what the officer wrote on the ticket against him, unfortunately this may not yield the results you hope for. Understand the ticket is merely a "notice," and "promise to appear." As a notice, it serves to inform you of the alleged violation, more specific the alleged code you violated. These codes are lengthy, and both the officers, courts, and data systems use shorthand titles of these codes; such as speeding, red light, stop sign, failure to yield, and so on. None spell out word for word the entire code; in your case 21453 CVC is the code, with many subsections. Though you may be correct that the officer did not spell out exactly limit line vs. light, it will be the officers testimony in court that will be the evidence the Judge will consider. The ticket itself is not factual evidence, it may be evidence of competency, thoroughness, accuracy and the likes bearing on the credibility of the officer, and again a shorthand description of the code will not go far on a credibility attack. Best of luck, also tread lightly on any admissions of your own as you have done here, it simply makes the Judges decision all too easy.

Q: Ticket for not stopping at a red light?