Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia

Running a yellow light?

I was infront of a cop tonight and got to a light that just turned yellow, i went through it hoping to get from being in front of the cop because his lights were so bright. He himself went through the light when it was red, didn't turn on his blue lights or anything until we were futher down the road, then he pulled me over. I was clueless as to what i had done. Then, he tells me I went through the yellow light and that was the same as running through a red light in VA. Is this true? When he brought me my ticket, he then changed his story and claimed i ran through a RED light. I want to go to court and fight this because it's unjust. The cops in that county are complete jerks and are known to be. Do I have any chance of winning in your opinion and was I in the wrong?


Asked on 6/15/08, 11:05 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Running a yellow light?

As to yellow lights, current Virginia law as I understand it requires a motorist approaching an intersection controlled by such a light to come to a complete stop before entering the intersection and wait for a green light(unless permitted to turn right on red). However, if the driver has already entered the intersection when the light turns yellow, he may proceed on through without stopping.

Consequently, the dispositive factual issue in your

case would appear to involve exactly where your vehicle was with respect to the intersection when the light turned yellow, the answer to which should answer your last question.

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Answered on 6/16/08, 7:16 am


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