Traffic Citation

真倒霉，今天早上拿了張Citation: Driving on shoulder. 說大不大，說小不小，挺煩心的。這麼多年從開始開車來，這是頭一回。十一月上法庭。有人能講講我將會經歷什麼， 該怎樣應答？  我在Texas.

謝謝！

曾經上過法庭，因為speeding.其實當時並沒有開快車的意思，無意中，被罰了張ticket,還被查出駕照過期，另加一張 ticket, 當時覺得很冤枉窩火。到了法院，上法庭前，先由檢察官同我討價，說是把超速降低一點，讓我認罪，就不會有記錄，也就不會影響汽車保險費。當時沒有經驗，心裡覺得蠻好，就高興地答應了。然後，到了法庭，法官問我是不是guilt,我就爽快地說 yes, 接下來法官說，罰款$140。當時愣了一下，呵呵，對學生來說，這是不小的一筆錢。法官看了我一眼，又重複了一遍，我只好認了，化錢消災。要是事先知道要罰這麼多，就會狡辯一下。可能會另外再上法庭，同警察對證。

不知你怎麼會drive on shoulder? 如果你能找個合理的理由，就plea not guilt。otherwise, 只好花錢消災。不同的州，處理方法會不同。你可以到下面的網站去問一下，我看見有人來自 texas (MyLittlePony)。good luck ~~

http://www.aboveaveragedriver.com/forums/discussions/

非常感謝您的information.

我正好要右轉，碰到前面的十字路口堵車，一直堵到我要轉的路口。為了趕去上班， 於是我就向右開上shoulder. 當時離路口大約有15 ~ 20 米的樣子。結果被抓。

我查了一下Texas Transportation Code， 發現如下規定：

§ 545.058.  DRIVING ON IMPROVED SHOULDER.  (a)  An
operator may drive on an improved shoulder to the right of the main
traveled portion of a roadway if that operation is necessary and may
be done safely, but only:
(1)  to stop, stand, park;
(2)  to accelerate before entering the main traveled lane of traffic;
(3)  to decelerate before making a right turn;
(4)  to pass another vehicle that is slowing or stopped
on the main traveled portion of the highway, disabled, or preparing
to make a left turn;
(5)  to allow another vehicle traveling faster to pass;
(6)  as permitted or required by an official
traffic-control device;  or
(7)  to avoid a collision.      

我覺得依法我沒錯，符合Item（3）， 也沒有"Don Not Drive On Shoulder" 的sign。 所以想去argue一下。您說有機會嗎？現在我的問題時，如果選擇了Trail, 那一個對我有利： jury trail 或 judge trail? 另外，萬一trail時我輸了，是否我還可以去上defensive driving class 來抵消？

芝麻大的事，但搞得我煩心。開車這麼多年了，頭一回。 :-(

I feel that driving on shoulder for going to work might not be a good reason. You have to find more urgent reasons. I would prefer to use item (4) if I were in the same situation. or you could use both (3) and (4).

If there is no bargin offer, it does not hurt to plea not guilt. I am not sure which trial will give you better chance. Are there any other implication (for example, is there cost for the trial?) other then who makes decision. I think you can always take defensive driving class to reduce your points.

sorry I could not give you better answer. I would still suggest you to post your question in that web site to hear other people's opinions. you may also call local traffic lawyers to see how they can help you

No, I will not tell them why I drove on shoulder.  I will only tell them by law I have the right to do so.

Yes, I already post my question over that site you gave to me and got an answer that I should try to fight via trail.

I will keep all friends here posted.  It is kind of experience for all of us. The court date is Nov. 5

But I think they will ask for the reason, and you have to answer it. Because it is not done freely, otherwise, it should not be ticketed.

Good luck to you. we all stand by you . Hope to hear good news from you ~~

Thanks for your support. :-)