Q&A - Contesting a traffic offence?

I have no experience in contesting a fine, but I have recently studied the Belgian road code again and I must warn you that passing a red light is not considered a minor traffic offence here. It is actually a third degree offence in a scale of four:

http://www.polfed-fedpol.be/verkeer/verkeer_amendes_fr.php

Unless you are 100% positive that you did NOT pass a red light, I would regrain from contesting the fine.

"contesting a minor traffic offence (passing a red light in a traffic jam)"

Oh dear!!! This is considered as a crime in Belgium.

Why do you believe you are required to go to Court??

X, wrong again. Only fourth degree offences are "crimes" strictly speaking. You certainly do not risk prison for burning a red light -- unless you also commit a fourth degree offence or another criminal offence when doing so.

Or you dare to contest it....

Nope. Contesting a fine is neither a "dare" not a criminal offence, it's a basic civil right.

Consider the cost , a lawyer will cost more than the fine anyway .

a non-specialized lawyer speakin french or Dutch (only) costs 150€/h minimum.

Unless you do have an excellent "protection juridique" insurance which accepts to give you a lawyer for free...

Considering the fine will be Eur 150 (according to http://www.polfed-fedpol.be/verkeer/verkeer_ame)I frankly
do not think it will make much sense to contest this -
unless you have hard evidence supporting your case....

I'd just pay the fine if you can, we have friend who was hit my a car coming the wrong way out of a one way street on his right and lost the case because as a non belgian driver he was told he did not under stand the Priority right rule! We also knew someone who due to a mix up at work did not get his speeding fine notice in time to pay and the result was a very hefty fine in court and a driving ban for a week, but his insurance did cover the cost of a lawer as it was a works car and he said had he not had a lawyer would have been much worse.

My mother did it, for exactly the same offence. Drove too far up, was stuck in traffic and had to turn while the lights changed. She explained it, said she was sorry, that she never comitted any other traffic offences and the judge gave her a conditional punishment - so she didn't have to pay the fine.

First you need to answer straight away at the lettre you receved with the fine and say that you contest the fine . Further on , you'll need to go to court It's not necessary to take a lawer but just have to be able to understand some french or flemish and be able to answer.
I agree with questionmark with good behaviour in the past ....