Camera Tickets: California's Lawful Surveillance

Red-light camera tickets are legal in California, but they are one of the easiest tickets to fight and win. In Los Angeles County, the courts do not report ignored camera tickets to the DMV, so you can get away with not paying. However, in other parts of California, such as Bakersfield, you will be fined heavily for missing the deadline for red light camera tickets.

Red-light camera tickets are one of the most expensive in California

To deter drivers from running red lights and reduce the number of deaths from these crashes, many Californian street intersections have been fitted with red-light cameras. These cameras operate on sensors, snapping a photo when a driver crosses an intersection while the light is red.

The base fines for different types of red-light violations in California are as follows:

• Making an illegal right turn at a red light: $35
• Running a stop sign without stopping: $35
• Running a solid or flashing red light: $100

However, after surcharges and fees are added, the cost of these tickets is often much higher. For example, running a red light in California can cost anywhere from $200 to $500, or even more. These increased fees are often earmarked for various city projects like courthouse construction.

In addition to the high cost of the tickets themselves, drivers may also face increased insurance rates for at least three years after receiving a red-light camera ticket. This can add hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to the overall cost of the violation.

It's important to note that there are ways to fight a red-light camera ticket in California. For example, if the ticket is from a city in LA County, it can be ignored as the courts do not report ignored camera tickets to the DMV. Additionally, if the ticket is a "snitch ticket," or a fake ticket sent by police to get car owners to identify the driver, it can also be ignored.

Tickets can be ignored if they are 'Snitch Tickets'

In California, red light camera tickets can cost up to $500 and add a point to your license. As these tickets are linked to the car's registered owner, rather than the driver, the police will often send out "Snitch Tickets" to try to identify the driver. Snitch Tickets are fake/phishing camera tickets that are designed to look like real tickets, but they are not filed with the court and have no legal weight.

Snitch Tickets can be identified by the following:

• They are not issued by a court but by a police station or office.
• They do not have a due date to pay or appear in court.
• They do not include a summons.
• They say "Courtesy Notice-This is not a ticket" at the top.
• They do not have the court's address.
• They say "Do not contact the court about this notice" in small letters on the back.

If you receive a Snitch Ticket, you can ignore it. You have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gives you an absolute privilege against self-incrimination.

Tickets can be ignored if issued in LA County

In Los Angeles County, it is possible to ignore red light camera tickets without any consequences. This is because the LA courts do not report ignored camera tickets to the DMV. This means that even if you receive a ticket directing you to a branch of the L.A. Superior Court, you can choose to ignore it without facing any legal repercussions.

However, it is important to note that this only applies to tickets issued in LA County. If you receive a similar ticket in another county or city, ignoring it could result in legal consequences such as a suspended license or a warrant for failing to appear.

Additionally, if you choose to ignore a red light camera ticket in LA County, it is crucial that you do not request any continuances or extensions, as this could indicate to the court that you have received the ticket. It is also advisable to refrain from checking the status of the ticket on the court's website or contacting the court in any way, as this could be seen as an acknowledgment of the ticket.

While ignoring red light camera tickets in LA County may be an option, it is always a good idea to consult with a local traffic attorney to understand your specific situation and the potential risks involved.

Tickets must be paid in Bakersfield

Camera-enforced red-light tickets are becoming more common in California as more municipalities adopt automated traffic enforcement systems. Bakersfield has eight camera-enforced red-light intersections. These tickets are issued by a camera maintained by a private company contracted by local municipalities.

If you've received a camera ticket in Bakersfield, it's important to understand why they are more expensive than a ticket issued by a law enforcement officer, as well as possible defences and the benefits of attending traffic violator's school.

A camera-enforced red-light ticket in California costs around $490, while a ticket issued by a law enforcement officer is $238. The difference in cost is due to the expenses incurred by Kern County, which must pay a private company to maintain the cameras and equipment. Additionally, an experienced traffic patrol officer must review the video and photographs before they are sent to the vehicle's owner, which can result in overtime costs.

• Unclear driver identity: The burden of proof is on the state to prove who was driving, so if the driver's identity is not discernible in the photo, this could be a valid defence.
• Equipment malfunction: If there is reason to believe the camera was faulty, this could be a defence.
• Premature light change: The CA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) stipulates the minimum duration for yellow lights, depending on the speed limit. Proving that the light changed to red too quickly could be a viable defence.
• No warning signs posted: California law requires municipalities to post signs before intersections with camera-enforced red lights. If no signs are present, this is a valid defence.
• No violation: The video and photographs must show an actual violation. There is no violation if the vehicle enters the intersection before the light turns red. Mistakes can be made by reviewers.

If you receive a ticket in Bakersfield, you can submit your citation payment online through the City of Bakersfield Billing System. Alternatively, you can consult a Bakersfield traffic attorney to discuss potential defences and the best course of action. It is important to note that if you are pleading not guilty, you must submit your request for a Court Trial in writing and by mail, as specified on your traffic citation.

Red-light camera tickets are easy to fight and win

First, check if you were the driver. If you weren't, you are not responsible for paying the ticket. You can provide an affidavit to the law enforcement agency that issued the ticket, stating the name and address of the person who was driving. This is one of the easiest scenarios to beat as the burden of proof is on the camera company and officiating officer to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person named on the ticket is the same as the person in the photos.

Second, check if the camera adhered to strict rules and regulations. Red-light cameras must follow strict rules and regulations set by state law for the tickets to be valid. If the cameras fail to comply perfectly with these rules, it is usually grounds for a full dismissal. When challenging these tickets, the state must prove that the cameras followed this list of prerequisites perfectly.

Third, check the yellow light interval. California law requires lights to stay yellow for a specified period of time before the light turns red. If the yellow light interval is shorter than the minimum required time, this can be used as a defense.

Fourth, check for warning signs. California law requires a warning sign to be posted within 200 feet of the intersection, clearly stating that an automatic enforcement system is being used. If there are no warning signs, or if they are not clearly visible, this may be a defense against your ticket.

Fifth, request information on the maintenance of the system. California state law requires automatic enforcement systems to be calibrated and inspected regularly. If the red light camera had not been inspected properly or failed calibration at the time, you might be able to get the ticket dismissed.

Frequently asked questions