How to Beat a Red Light Ticket in California by:Steve Miller

California Judge Says 'Stop' To Red Light Cameras

As published by USA TODAY (way back in 9/5/2001 but worth revisiting) By Valerie Alvord (Special for USA TODAY), a California judge said 'stop' to red light cameras.

Now there is an innovative way to learn how to beat a camera ticket in California; get a judge on your side!

SAN DIEGO A judge handed a victory Tuesday to opponents of cameras that capture pictures of motorists speeding through red lights, saying the practice in this city is unreliable.

Hundreds of thousands of motorists receive traffic tickets each year based on pictures taken by red light cameras that operate in about 60 cities and counties across the USA. Critics have called the devices "Orwellian" and said the pictures can't be trusted because the cameras can malfunction.

The ruling by San Diego Superior Court Judge Ronald Styn was the first of its kind in the nation. The ruling only applies directly to about 300 motorists fighting their tickets here. The judge threw out the tickets, saying evidence provided by the cameras was "so untrustworthy and unreliable that it should not be admitted.

The decision is likely to boost the growing opposition to the cameras, said Arthur Tait, attorney for the motorists. "Everyone in the country is absolutely looking at this case," Tait said. "The judge said the way the program operates in San Diego is illegal. And it basically operates the same way everywhere across the country."

Styn said the San Diego program is flawed because it allows the private company that installs and operates the red light cameras to collect a portion of the $271 fine for each ticket issued. The company's cut was about $70 of each ticket. The judge ruled that a conflict of interest arises because it is also the company that decides whether a motorist could be ticketed. That violates a state law that does not allow such law enforcement programs to be operated by private companies, the judge said.

The judge gave the city the victory on a larger question. He said that using a camera to gather evidence is not unconstitutional.

"The intent of the program has been, and continues to be, public safety," San Diego Police Chief David Bejarano said.

According to insurance industry studies, about 800 people are killed and more than 200,000 injured each year as a result of motorists running red lights. In San Diego, Bejarano said, the instances of red light running declined 45% at intersections with cameras.

The city suspended the program several months ago. The city has 30 days to appeal the ruling.

If you do not have a judge behind you, you still can have us! 2FixYourRedLightTicket.com, a service provided by TicketBust.com can help you fight your red light ticket and get it dismissed. Contact our experts at 800-850-8038 for more details and to get started.

About the author

Steve Miller is author of this article on Red Light Ticket In California.

Find more information about Red Light Ticket In California here http://www.2FixYourRedLightTicket.com.

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