Im a 19 yr old male in California. Today (7/11/06) at around 8:15pm, I was driving a Red Saleen Mustang convertible in Walnut California. At the time of the incident the top was down. I was heading Eastbound attempting to make a left turn to head North leaving a shopping center parking lot. The exit from the parking lot is a 3 way traffic signal intersection. As I pulled out of the lot a bright light was shined directly in my face coming from a police vehicle that was in the far northbound lane. I was immediately blinded and I attempted to complete my turn and immediately pulled over to the curb as best as i could considering my eyes were trying to adjust from the bright light being shined directly into my eyes and still being reflected into my eyes by my rear view mirror . Once pulled over the officer approached my vehicle and asked me for my license, registration and proof of insurance. I said "Absolutely officer" and asked if i may reach into my wallet to get the license and insurance. The officer said: "If thats what you have to do". I slowly reached into my pocket not to call alarm to the officer or his partnerand i pulled out my license and began searching for my insurance. As was retrieving my insurance the officer asked me "Where are you heading?". I responded: "Im heading home officer." The officer then asked me "What are you out tonight?" I replied: "I just got off of work." The officer then asked me where I worked and I told him I worked At **** off of Azusa In-between ***** and ***. He then asked me what was my business in Walnut. I told him that i was supposed to be meeting up with some friends in the parking lot i just left. He then told me that the reason he pulled me over was because i didnt have my headlights on. I then said "Im sorry i was about to turn them on" and he responded with "uh huh". He then took my insurance and registration from me and walked to the front of my car and asked where my front license plate was. I told him that the car is exactly the way i bought it and didnt come with one. The officer asked if i bought the car used and i told him yes and he went back to his patrol car. I then asked his partner who was standing on the passenger side of my car if i could put the other stuff i took out of my wallet back in. He told me i could and i did so. After about 10 to 15 min the citing officer returned with a citation for driving without headlights and no front license plate. I signed the citation without rebuttal and told the officers to have a good night.
I plan to fix the front license plate but am wondering if i have place to fight the headlight ticket. Before i had left the parking lot property i had the light shined in my face and was only concerned about pulling over because i could not see very well. Is it legal for them to begin to pull me over for headlights before i even get on the street. I have fought by written declaration before and i want to know if thats a good idea for this one. Can i fight it by Written Dec even though it is for 2 citations of which 1 is fixable by prooving the problem has been fixed? I need all the help i can get
I plan to fix the front license plate but am wondering if i have place to fight the headlight ticket. Before i had left the parking lot property i had the light shined in my face and was only concerned about pulling over because i could not see very well. Is it legal for them to begin to pull me over for headlights before i even get on the street. I have fought by written declaration before and i want to know if thats a good idea for this one. Can i fight it by Written Dec even though it is for 2 citations of which 1 is fixable by prooving the problem has been fixed? I need all the help i can get