Judges Reject Challenges to Red-Light Camera Law

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The latest legal challenges to red-light safety cameras in Florida have been rejected by county judges in both Sarasota and Polk counties. Recent rulings in two separate cases upheld the constitutionality of the state's red-light camera law each finding that the statute meets the requirements for due process and allows authorities to ticket the vehicle owner, regardless of who was driving the vehicle at the time of the violation.

Judge Bonner found that...

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=10003770

Rulings allow authorities to ticket the vehicle owner, regardless of who was driving the vehicle.

Red light cameras are a good idea, but the above is going too far.

SARASOTA COUNTY - In the past two weeks, 50 car owners who challenged the constitutionality of Florida's red-light camera tickets have lost in court.

People who have received the $158 tickets argue their right to due process is being violated because the citations are given based on a photo of the vehicle running the light. The photos do not show who is driving at the time of the violation, and the ticket is merely sent to the vehicle's registered owner.

The owner should not be assumed to be guilty — the state has the burden of proof, not the owner, say Nathan and others who challenge the camera violations.

The ruling from Judge Kim Bonner upholds the constitutionality of the cameras and allows authorities to send tickets to the person who owns and is responsible for the red-light violating car.

The latest constitutional challenge, filed by a Sarasota man, was rejected. Alexander D. Nathan, 30, said he plans to appeal and it is not about just paying a ticket to him. Nathan says he will not let his rights be trampled so the state and county can collect ticket revenue.

Florida cities and counties handed out $100 million in...

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120831/ARTICLE/120839896/2416/NEWS?Title=Judge-rejects-local-challenge-to-red-light-cameras

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/99999999/multimedia/120819722

When will these morons learn, whether it is a toll violation. parking violation, or red light camera violation, it is LEGAL.

When will these morons learn, whether it is a toll violation. parking violation, or red light camera violation, it is LEGAL.

The issue isn't whether it's illegal or not. Everybody knows it's illegal to run a red light. The issue is the constitutionality (due process) of the government to issue a traffic ticket to the registered owner of a vehicle for running a red light when he wasn't operating the vehicle, simply because he's the registered owner.

On a different note: What happens to camera-issued tickets that are registered to out-of-state corporations?

When will these morons learn, whether it is a toll violation. parking violation, or red light camera violation, it is LEGAL.

The issue isn't whether it's illegal or not. Everybody knows it's illegal to run a red light. The issue is the constitutionality (due process) of the government to issue a traffic ticket to the registered owner of a vehicle for running a red light when he wasn't operating the vehicle, simply because he's the registered owner.

On a different note: What happens to camera-issued tickets that are registered to out-of-state corporations?

It is CONSTITUTIONAL. The courts have confirmed that over and over.

Out of state corporations pay, just like everyone else.

What happens to camera-issued tickets that are registered to out-of-state corporations?
Out of state corporations pay, just like everyone else.
If a person doesn't pay the fine, then their drivers license can be suspended. If an out-of-state corporation doesn't pay a fine, they don't have a DL to suspend. What then?

What about rental cars that are issued camera-tickets? It takes a subpoena to find the name of the driver of the car. When then?

It is CONSTITUTIONAL. The courts have confirmed that over and over.
In 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that blacks could never become citizens, so what's your point about it being constitutional to ticket vehicle owners for running red lights when they weren't even in the car at the time of the violation? :roll:

What happens to camera-issued tickets that are registered to out-of-state corporations?
Out of state corporations pay, just like everyone else.
If a person doesn't pay the fine, then their drivers license can be suspended. If an out-of-state corporation doesn't pay a fine, they don't have a DL to suspend. What then?

What about rental cars that are issued camera-tickets? It takes a subpoena to find the name of the driver of the car. When then?

Rental car companies require a credit card when the car is rented that is used to cover unpaid parking tickets, toll violations, and other expenses.

They pay the fine and then charge the credit card to recover their money.

It is CONSTITUTIONAL. The courts have confirmed that over and over.
In 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that blacks could never become citizens, so what's your point about it being constitutional to ticket vehicle owners for running red lights when they weren't even in the car at the time of the violation? :roll:


The point is pay your fine and stop crying like a baby!

Actually rental car companies do not pay tickets. They complete an affidavit with the renters info and the agancy goes after the renter.