Left Turn Through Amber -red Light Fail To Stop Hta 144(18)
I was traveling west and needed to make a left turn to go south. I approached the intersection a little faster than normal because there was absolutely no oncoming traffic or pedestrians in the way of my turn. The light turned amber as I approached the intersection, and I'm pretty sure it was still amber when I entered.
However there was an officer stopped in the left turn lane facing north to make his own left turn to go west. As I finished my turn, he pointed at me and flashed his lights.
When he pulled me over he asked me what the rush was and said that the light had turned red when I was 4 car lengths behind the line, then charged me with Failing to Stop at a Red Light under HTA 144(18 ).
I have submitted a request for disclosure already in February via certified mail, but I have yet to receive any. It's now 1.5 months before my court date. I can't call the Prosecutor's office because they have that automated answering system, should I send an email to follow up on my disclosure request?
Also what kind of defense can I feasibly use? I would say because I approached the intersection at speed, I couldn't safely stop the vehicle before the line when the light turned amber, however I'm sure if I ask the officer if I was facing a circular stop signal when I entered the intersection that he will probably say yes.
If I take the stand it will basically be my word against the officer's over wether the light was amber or red when I entered.