Last week I made a U-Turn at an intersection, the street I was on is not graded, not on a curve and there is no 'No U-Turn' signs posted. There was no vehicles (in either directions) nearby so it was not a hazardous condition. I have a spotless driving record for many years. This was in Orange, Essex County NJ. My court date is May 27th.

My thinking is to state the above to the judge and simply plead for leniency.

Do I have a fighting chance? Should I don't bother and just settle if it's offered? Is there a better approach to plead my case?

TIA.

 

Take pictures of the U-turn area and prove that there are no signs stating no U-turn. That sounds like your only chance.

 

with a clean record, and a good attitude, the judge will probably just throw it out.

no worries mate. just remember that there is a lot riding on how you handle the situation. show the judge that you are polite and respectful.

 

+1 Judges are people too.

 

Show the judge the respect that he deserves, and maybe he'll just throw out the case.

 

Here in Canada if there no sign for "No U Turns" it's legal, it's only illegal if there is a sign.

I think you've got a good chance, just don't be a prickasauraus rex in court.


BTW 666th post

 

I used to say that too.


At 28 years old, i got my first ticket ever. 45MPH in a 35MPH on a 2-lane divided road with guardrails on both side.

I figured i'd be nice, plead my good record, state that where i pulled out from and the exit of the highway i got on did not have any speed limit signs and it was an industrial area.

Wore a shirt and tie and was very polite.


I still had to pay the ticket

 

City ordinances often have a no-U-turn policy, which means it's not posted and is "understood." Do your research and see if the city has one, if so, you have no argument so you may have to "throw yourself at the mercy of the court." A respectful tone can make all the difference. Good luck.

 

I knew there was evil in you somewhere!!

 

Thanks folks for your advice and moral support. I will let you know the outcome. Cheers.

 

LOL, you expect to get away with breaking the law on the "MY record is clean defense". lol

Rapist: Look, I never raped anyone in my life b4 this one. Can't a playa just get a warning?

 

If it's a female judge, give 'er the old Tony Danza slap.

 

Come on bro.... comparing 10 over to rape?

 

yes, you can get a ticket for making U Turn at an intersection without "No U Turn" sign. If the street that you make U Turn onto only has 2 lanes, you will get a ticket. If the street has 3 lanes or more + no sign then you are good to go. Make sure that you double check on that before you talk to the judges. Good luck.

 

Good luck, with the economy, local enforcement and highway patrol have been urged to up tickets in all areas to generate revenue. I read an article where they interviewed a highway patrolman of 20 years exp. and he said he has never felt this much pressure to write tickets in his whole career... I tried the whole polite act and good record line and the judge still threw the book at me. Bottom line: know the laws up and down and dont give them any reason to stop you...