Court Etiquette II O/T

Okay so I finally got my court date for the 11th of August. Im currently a 17 year old high school senior, and I currently have a suspended license. Here's the situation. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to addressing a judge or jury, and also I dont know how I can argue my traffic ticket (Improper Lane Change). To help you visualize, let me describe the situation.


I'm on a 2 lane road, turning lane, and another 2 lanes on the other side. About 8:00 am on a saturday morning, pretty clear of traffic, and kind of cloudy and a bit light outside. So I'm in the right lane and I remembered I needed to get into the turn lane in the center of the road to get home. First I signaled, checked my rear view mirror, left side mirror, and then the blind spot. I happened to be going around a road curve, that curves to the right. As I hit the straight a way and getting into the left lane ready for the turn lane, a red Grand Marquis slams my fender with its front bumper, drives on for about 10-15 meters passed the stop light in front of the turning lane while I had about about 1-3 meters before I cleared the stop light. Im forced to call the police when My left fender Is bent in, and I have a missing left corner lens. Police claims it to be my fault for changing lanes and not seeing the woman, but I feel she was speeding and its ridiculous how you couldnt see a car in front of you who's already halfway into the lane and just run into them. Uh... I think if its any consolation I was going to an S.A.T. class that same morning, so maybe it can illustrate I'm a good student who was not driving recklessly on a saturday morning?

Give me your thoughts on the situation. And also possible ways I could argue this. Any replies are appreciated.

i hate to tell you this, but you're 17, so you can forget trying to shift the blame at all. Really sucks about the whole situation. I cant believe they would actually suspend your license for that tho, my cousin has got in like 10 accidents since she got her license and she still has her license, she just pays up the ass in insurance. I think the judge and the police wont even give it a second thought because you're only 17, but good luck anyways

Oh yea btw, Im going in front of the jury, not a judge. So I do have a chance of getting it dismissed. But yea, I agree that my chances arent too good in arguing.

GL - you're going to need it. :(

yea unless you have some hard proof that she was speeding and you were already into that lane when she hit you, expect to be paying the fine.

Your 17... its always your fault even when its really not. Sorry man

So wat's the best reply I can give if its inevitable that it might be my fault?

You could always do like people around my area and get a twisted lawyer to pay off the judge. In Hickory that lawyer is David Moose. He's gotten me out of some shit before and lots of my friends. So that is a good alternative.