Traffic Cameras In Hawthorne, California: Are They Legal?

Traffic cameras are a common feature in Hawthorne, California, and while they are generally legal, there are some important considerations regarding their use. Red light camera tickets, for instance, can be expensive, often costing $490 or more, and can have a significant impact on insurance premiums. It is, however, possible to have these tickets dismissed without going to court, as the right to challenge them is provided by law.

Legality of traffic cameras in Hawthorne, California

Traffic cameras are legal in Hawthorne, California, and the city uses them to monitor and enforce driving infractions such as speeding, running red lights, and stopping at stop signs. These traffic cameras are often placed at intersections and can capture both photos and videos of vehicles committing violations.

While the use of traffic cameras for enforcement purposes is legal, there are specific requirements that must be met for the resulting citations to be valid. For example, the photo or video evidence must clearly show the driver and the vehicle's license plate. In addition, there are specific rules regarding the placement of warning signs near intersections with red-light cameras. If these requirements are not met, it may be possible to get a citation dismissed.

Receiving a traffic camera citation in Hawthorne can result in a significant financial burden, as the average cost of a citation is several hundred dollars. This includes various fees and penalties added by the county and state of California, which can amount to six times the cost of the base fine. The impact of a citation can also extend beyond the immediate fine, as it may lead to increased insurance premiums for several years.

For these reasons, it is important for drivers in Hawthorne to be aware of the legality and potential consequences of traffic camera citations. While it is possible to contest a citation, it may be more effective to take steps to avoid receiving one in the first place, such as driving cautiously and obeying all traffic laws.

How to fight a traffic ticket

Traffic cameras are legal in Hawthorne, California, and the tickets issued by these cameras can be very expensive, often costing $490 or more. However, it is possible to fight a traffic ticket without going to court through a process called Trial by Written Declaration. This is a real court trial that takes place in written form instead of in person.

Dispute the Police Officer's Personal Opinion:

Challenge the officer's judgment if they needed to exercise personal judgment in issuing the ticket. For example, if you were cited for an unsafe lane change, you can argue that your lane change was safe given the weather and traffic conditions.

Dispute the Police Officer's Presentation of Evidence:

For tickets involving clear-cut infractions like running a stop sign, challenge the ticket by questioning if the officer actually saw you perform the action. Present eyewitness statements, diagrams, or photographs as evidence to support your argument.

Present Evidence of a 'Mistake of Fact':

For certain tickets, such as driving the wrong way on a one-way street, present evidence that you made a "mistake of fact." This means that you made a mistake about a situation that was beyond your control or you honestly and reasonably believed you were following the law. For example, if lane markers were worn down and you couldn't see them, this could be a mistake of fact.

Argue That Circumstances Justified Your Driving:

Admit to illegal driving but present information that justified your actions. For instance, if you were speeding to pass a possibly drunken driver, argue that you were trying to keep yourself safe and avoid an accident.

Argue That Your Ticketed Driving Was Necessary to Prevent Harm:

Show that your ticketed driving was necessary to prevent immediate harm to yourself or others. For example, if you swerved to avoid hitting a pedestrian, argue that your actions were necessary to prevent a collision.

Additionally, here are some specific tips for fighting a traffic ticket in Hawthorne, California:

• If you receive a "snitch ticket," which is a fake ticket mailed out by the HPD to get you to identify the driver, you can safely ignore it. A real ticket will have the four photos on the right side of the page in a column and cannot be ignored.
• Many camera tickets can be successfully dismissed based on the quality of the driver's photo. By law, automatic enforcement systems are required to produce a "clear" picture of the driver.
• You can also challenge the yellow light interval, claiming that it was unusually short. Request that the red light camera operators prove that the yellow light interval was set properly and in proper working condition.
• If there was no "Photo Enforcement" warning sign posted near the intersection, take photos showing any obstructions of the sign and forward them to the relevant authorities.
• If you decide to fight your ticket, consider using a service like Ticket Ninja, which offers a money-back guarantee and has successfully helped dismiss thousands of red light camera tickets.

The cost of a traffic ticket

Traffic tickets in Hawthorne, California, can be extremely costly. The base fine is not the full cost of the ticket, and the fees and penalties added by the county and state of California can make the overall cost hundreds of dollars.

• Court operations assessment fee: $40
• Conviction assessment fee: $35
• State penalty assessment fee: 100% of the base fine
• Night court assessment fee: $1
• County penalty assessment fee: $7 for every $10 of the base fine
• DNA Identification fund penalty assessment fee: $4 for every $10 of the base fine
• State court construction penalty assessment fee: 50% of the base fine
• Emergency Medical Air Transportation Services fund penalty assessment fee: $4
• Emergency medical services fund penalty assessment fee: $2 for every $10 of the base fine
• California traffic citation surcharge: 20%

In total, these additional fines mean that California drivers end up paying six times the cost of the base fine. On top of this, insurance premiums will increase for the next 3-5 years.

The average cost of a traffic camera ticket in California is over $490. The average cost of a red-light ticket is over $450, and a speeding ticket in California will cost an average of $710 for a $35 base fine. A first-offense cell phone ticket will cost an average of $178, and a stop sign ticket will cost over $238.

It is important to note that if a ticket is dismissed or if the defendant goes to trial and wins, they do not have to pay court costs.

Red light camera locations

Red light cameras are legal in Hawthorne, California. However, there are specific rules and requirements that must be followed for the tickets issued by these cameras to be valid. For example, the camera tickets must include clear photos of the driver, and there must be proper signage indicating the presence of photo enforcement.

• Hawthorne Boulevard and El Segundo Boulevard
• Imperial Highway and Freeman Avenue/405 Fwy
• Imperial Hwy and Hawthorne Boulevard
• Rosecrans Avenue and Hindry Avenue

If you receive a red light camera ticket in Hawthorne, it is important to review the details and determine whether you have received a real ticket or a "snitch" ticket. A snitch ticket is a fake ticket mailed out by the HPD to get the driver to self-identify. These tickets can be identified by the placement of four photos on the bottom of the page and can be safely ignored. A real ticket, on the other hand, will have the four photos arranged in a column on the right side of the page and must be addressed.

How to identify a fake ticket

Traffic cameras are legal in Hawthorne, California, but there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the tickets issued from these cameras. Here's how to identify a fake ticket:

• Check the Format and Placement of Information: A "Snitch Ticket" or fake ticket will have four photos arranged at the bottom of the page. A real ticket will have these four photos arranged in a column on the right side of the page. Login information for viewing your ticket details may be found on the back page, first paragraph, or on the front page within a red rectangle in the upper-right corner.
• Look for Official Signage: Fake tickets are sometimes sent out by the HPD to trick drivers into identifying themselves. If your ticket does not have the Superior Court's name and address on it, it is likely a fake.
• Barcode Verification: If you're concerned about the authenticity of your ticket, you can contact the company that issued the ticket and provide them with the number on the barcode. They can then verify whether your ticket is legitimate.
• Purchase Source: Fake tickets are often obtained through fraudulent websites or ticket resale. To avoid this, always purchase tickets from official sources, such as the box office, primary ticketers like Ticketmaster, or official fan clubs.
• Payment Method: Be cautious if the seller requests payment through gift cards or unconventional methods. Credit cards offer added protection, and you can dispute the charge if you discover you've been scammed.
• Timing: Ticket prices tend to increase as the event nears. Purchasing tickets early from the venue or a verified site reduces the chances of encountering fake tickets or inflated prices.
• Research Resellers: When buying from a reseller, look for transaction terms, refund policies, clear identification as a reseller, and specific details about the tickets, such as shipping terms and availability.
• Avoid Paper Tickets: Paper tickets purchased on a street corner are more susceptible to fraud. Opt for digital tickets that can be transferred to you through a secure platform.
• Don't Share Online: Avoid posting photos of your tickets on social media. Cover or cross out any barcodes or personal information if you do share images of your tickets.
• Verify with the Box Office: If you have concerns about the authenticity of your ticket, contact the box office directly and ask them to verify.

Remember, it's always best to purchase tickets from official sources to minimize the risk of encountering fake tickets. Stay vigilant, and don't let a fake ticket ruin your plans!

Frequently asked questions