Traffic ticket help: parked in an ally or driveway?

Hi,

Im 17 yrs and just recieved my first (and hopefully last) ticket. Heres what happened....



I was driving northbound in heavy traffic. I was approaching an intersection and the traffic light was green; so i proceeded to cross the intersection. Cars cut into this lane because this is the only lane to turn left. I made it under the light with my foot on the brake and my car barely rolling. The light ahead was green aswell but traffic was not flowing. In the oposing lane (southbound) there was a big dump truck( i quess his light had changed and it was his turn to go) because he started honking and cussing at me. i kept on looking ahead barely rolling. I was only in his way for 3 seconds i counted and my traffic began to flow. (might i add that the only reason i was blocking him was because he was driving a big dumptruck and could not make the wide turn he needed)had it been a passenger vehicle they would have had space. When i made it to the light to take my turn i saw a motorcycle cop put on his lights. I made the turn and proceeded in my lane. He signaled for me to pull over. He asked for liscence and registration. At this point i was very scared i didnt know why i had been stopped. And the officer did not tell me why i had been stopped. As i handed him my registration i asked him why i was stopped. And he told me i was blocking the intersection (which i wasnt). I tried to explain to him the circumstance and told him that i didnt know and apologized and asked if i could please just have a warning. He told me %26quot;no, definately not you will be recieving a citation.%26quot;. I took the ticket thanked the officer(dont ask me why i was very scarred and was trying to be as calm and polite as i could be) and went on my way.



Later when i was looking at the ticket it said parked blocking an ally or driveway which is contrary to what the officer told me i first recieved the ticket for (blocking an intersection). I wasnt parked and was in a congested intersection not an ally. Is this legal??

i am going to plea not guilty and need help with this.

the officer didnt tell me why he stopped me (i had to ask him)

the ticket is wrong

and he didnt tell me how to better handle the situation.



I need help with this what do you all think?



Thanks, Matt

ps oh and i live in texas incase you need to know what state laws are

thanks again

Traffic ticket help: parked in an ally or driveway?1, Your story is an admission of blocking an intersection, so you have admitted the necessary facts to be convicted of that violation. Do not repeat these facts unless specifically asked in court.



2. The citation may have an %26quot;administrative error%26quot; if the officer marked the wrong violation, and the magistrate or judge can simply ignore the difference, have the ticket changed, or have the officer issue a violation for the correct charge while you all stand there waiting. Not helpful if you have to come back on another date.



3. Plead not guilty, hope for the best in court. The officer will testify (if he shows up) that you were blocking the intersection, the judge will believe him. You say, %26quot;I was not charged with that and I was not blocking an alley or driveway at any time, that I am aware of.%26quot; The court may give you some slack as your first offense, no harm done, and the officer made a minor mistake on the paperwork. But you should also be prepared to pay the whole fine, which is only fair to the people you have inconvenienced by your unrefined driving habits.