Got A Red Light Camera-Worth Fighting?

[BillyIdol]

I got my first red light camera ticket in the mail today. I am not an aggressive driver. I was driving the 2002 Camry. The camera shows me right at the crosswalk when the light turned red. That is real close. I probably thought that it would be safer to punch the accelerator a little instead of slamming on the brakes at that point. I am definitely guilty of this. The fine is $381, and I can do traffic school for an extra $39. I have a perfectly clean driving record. According to the ticket, you can only do traffic school every 18 months. Obviously, I can do traffic school. In any case, I am going to be extra careful about red lights. I actually think these cameras save lives. Anyway....

1) Can I reduce the fine by going to court?

2) If I want to get it reduced, what should I say to the judge? I am thinking about telling him that it was very close, and that I thought it would be more dangerous to slam on my brakes.

3) If I want the fine reduced, should I admit guilt?

4) If the officer that signed off on the ticket does not appear, does it get dismissed?

Anyway, be safe out there!

John

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

You guys dont have the yellow light?

 

[fullracehonda]

go tell the judge you simply cannot afford it at this time becaus of all your hardships related to the current economy and say yes it was an accident but 400 dollars is ALOT of money(leave out the part about owning an nsx lol)



had a freind get a 250 dollar fine while parked(car still running) in handicapped spot at gas station for like 5 minutes, never even got out of the car,


yes these are fineable offensives but 250 dollars for loitering in a handicapped spot at 1 am, and 400 dollars from a redlight camera ticket? wtf

 

[Cairo94507]

Maybe $400 is not a lot of money and the economy is not a factor. Better to go in and just plead your case, just as stated above and if (when) convicted ask for a reduced fine and traffic school. Depends upon what your time is worth. Camera citations are still new enough that you might catch a break with a sympathetic traffic judge.

 

[jalnjr]

regardless, a person occupying the crosswalk
would have been put at grave risk for bodily injury
by your description of your actions. $400 is steep,
but have you seen medical bills, and tort liability?

plus, who is going to pay for the redlight cam??
you will not be seen sympathetically. hate to be safety officer
around here.... nor offering legal advice.

jmho

 

[Racerxjling]

You can request to see the judge to ask for a fee reduction. However, if he is not in a good mood, he could DENY you traffic school. I doubt he would do that but there is a chance. I would just pay it and go to traffic school.

Jeff

 

[Deltron Zero]

Just tear the ticket up and ignore it. When you see a process server come by in a month or two, put a hat on and claim that you just moved in a couple months ago. Worked for me.

 

[Mike-san]

Go to the Police Dept. of the city where it happened and request to view the film w/ an officer. Be sincere and if it's really close, the cop might excuse you from the violation.

 

[nsxtasy]

I would just pay it and go to traffic school.

I received one of these tickets recently in Chicago. I did some internet searching and found that (a) the tickets do not count against your driving record (they're treated like a parking ticket), and (b) they are never acquitted/reduced except for very specific reasons (e.g. you can prove that your car was stolen, etc). So there was no reason to do anything other than pay the ticket by mail. Those conditions may not apply to your jurisdiction, but you may be able to find out what does apply in your area by searching the net.

 

[Hothonda]

I got my first red light camera ticket in the mail today. I am not an aggressive driver. I was driving the 2002 Camry. The camera shows me right at the crosswalk when the light turned red. That is real close. I probably thought that it would be safer to punch the accelerator a little instead of slamming on the brakes at that point. I am definitely guilty of this. The fine is $381, and I can do traffic school for an extra $39. I have a perfectly clean driving record. According to the ticket, you can only do traffic school every 18 months. Obviously, I can do traffic school. In any case, I am going to be extra careful about red lights. I actually think these cameras save lives. Anyway....

1) Can I reduce the fine by going to court?

2) If I want to get it reduced, what should I say to the judge? I am thinking about telling him that it was very close, and that I thought it would be more dangerous to slam on my brakes.

3) If I want the fine reduced, should I admit guilt?

4) If the officer that signed off on the ticket does not appear, does it get dismissed?

Anyway, be safe out there!

John

Ask to cross examine the camera.......I believe a Minnesota judge ruled that
red-light camera photos were not admissible in court (in MN anyway).