This is a bizarre story. A Trooper ran a red light in a residential area. I hit him on his back driver's side tire and scrapped his bumper. The moment I hit him I looked at my light to make sure I hadn't lost my mind. It was still green for me. The intersection was empty with cars waiting at the red light on the one way street the officer came off of. His emergency lights were not on. As I pulled into a parking lot to discuss the accident with him, I noticed a city officer coming in our direction. Long story short, the city officer claimed I ran a red light. The trooper's supervisor issued me a ticket for "Failure to Obey a Traffic Device". That's about $130 fine & 3 points. No other witnesses came forward.

To date I've put out a newspaper ad, an online ad, posters in that area, and check for cameras for witnesses. No one has come forward. I also called an apartment complex that's by the scene for cameras or witnesses. Nothing.

Morally it makes me sick to my stomach that lying is a common occurrence even between differing divisions of police enforcement. I refuse to plead guilty on this. Having said that, I've consulted with 2 lawyers: 1 - says give him large $$$'s and he'll take it to court but I may end up owing $500 (on top of his fee) if the judge sides with the officers (which he probably will); 2 - says take Probation Before Judgement which will most likely get me off on points & the fine.

Here's my question, if I take PBJ then I'm admitting guilt, right? I am sooo frustrated at this point. My insurance is all over the place on this one. And, at this point, I don't know what is the lesser of 2 evils. Do I take the PBJ and have my insurance sky rocket? Or, do I pay a fortune, maybe get out of it, and still possibly have my insurance sky rocket? If I get out on PBJ will I still be liable for the damage to the officers vehicle? If I don't take PBJ and win, does the officer pay my damages & legal fees?

Any suggestions?

I am sorry I have never heard of PBJ, but by the name it seems that you take probation before there is a judgment which would mean no plea. Sorry, I can't be more helpful.

You are right it is Probation before judgement. If this means "no plea" then I feel a bit better. I'd rather not plead guilty with comment because I was not guilty.