144(18) Red Light - Fail To Stop (approaching, Straight)
I got a ticket yesterday night at 11:50PM at McNicoll and McCowan, for failing to stop at the red stop light. The officer behind me (a little careless of me not to check, but my mirror is in bad shape) pulled me over after I had crossed the intersection. I approached it on yellow, and while I was almost past the intersection completely, it turned red. Now, I have no doubt I could have stopped for the yellow (road conditions were fine, and officer knows that), but I still was passed the line and well into the intersection before it turned red. I caught a slight glimpse of the red before I left the intersection. I'm thinking that I shouldn't be charged for 144( 18 ), but 144(15), which the officer did not charge me for. However, can they add a new charge while on trial?
I could've argued on the spot, but being my first offense, I was nervous and did not argue. Now that I think back on it, if I argued, he would've nailed me failing to stop for amber, because he was driving behind me and knew the conditions, so either way I would've been booked.
What would you guys do in my situation? Talk the prosecutor beforehand? Plead with the judge for grace? Fight it (although I don't think it wise to do so given my circumstance)?