Q: Can an officer state that I failed to yield at a green light to turn left if he did not start moving forcing me to act?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
If an officer claims you failed to yield at a green light while turning left, it depends on the situation. Legally, when turning left, you are expected to yield to oncoming traffic until it's safe to make the turn. However, if the officer wasn't moving or there was no oncoming traffic, it could be argued that there was no need for you to yield.
You could explain that you acted appropriately given the circumstances. If the officer didn’t begin moving or pose a clear hazard, you may have had the right of way to complete the turn safely. The officer's interpretation might differ, but you can present your side.
In such cases, it can help to collect any evidence, such as witness statements or traffic camera footage, to support your position. Each situation is unique, and the outcome may depend on the specific facts surrounding the event.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
