Tennessee Camera Tickets: Do I Have To Pay?

Do you have to pay camera tickets in Tennessee? This question has been on the minds of many Memphis drivers, lawyers, and state lawmakers for years. While some people have taken issue with the ticket program, urging others not to pay the tickets, others wonder if there will be consequences for their driver's license or credit. So, what's the verdict?

Well, it turns out that red light camera tickets in Tennessee are considered civil citations, not criminal ones, so they don't add points to your license or affect your credit score. In fact, Tennessee state law requires each citation to clearly state in large bold letters that non-payment of this violation cannot have a negative impact on your driver's license, car insurance rates, or credit report. However, the cities with these cameras may still try to collect payment through letters, threats, and collection notices.

So, while you technically don't have to pay camera tickets in Tennessee, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of doing so, as there could be potential consequences, such as being taken to court for debt collection.

Red light camera tickets in Tennessee are civil citations, not criminal ones

> NON-PAYMENT OF THIS VIOLATION CANNOT HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE, CAR INSURANCE RATES, OR CREDIT REPORT.

While the city can take you to court to collect the fine, it is often not worth their time or resources to do so. Additionally, there is no statutory authority for a third-party company to enforce a ticket.

However, it is important to note that this only applies to red-light camera tickets and not to tickets issued by a police officer or other law enforcement official. Tennessee state law places strict requirements on the use of unmanned traffic enforcement cameras, including the need for a traffic engineering study and specific signage.

While some people choose to pay the tickets to avoid any potential long-term effects, it is not a legal requirement to do so. Tennessee state lawmakers have also tried to pass bills to make it harder for cities to hand out these types of citations.

You don't have to pay red light camera tickets in Tennessee

Red light cameras have been a source of controversy in Tennessee for over a decade. While some people have taken issue with the ticket program, others have questioned whether it is required to pay off red light camera tickets at all.

According to West Tennessee State Representative Andy Holt, citizens are not obligated to pay these tickets. In fact, Holt has actively discouraged people from doing so, even going as far as to burn a citation he received. Holt introduced a bill, HB 1656, in 2020, which aimed to prohibit the issuance of traffic citations based solely on evidence obtained from unmanned traffic cameras used for monitoring and enforcing traffic signal violations or speed limits. However, the bill was struck down before it could progress further.

Attorney Murray Wells supports Holt's stance, advising people to disregard these tickets. While people may choose to pay off their tickets to avoid potential consequences for their driver's license or credit, Tennessee State Law mandates a disclaimer on each citation, stating:

> "NON-PAYMENT OF THIS VIOLATION CANNOT HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE, CAR INSURANCE RATES, OR CREDIT REPORT."

Despite this, the city of Memphis can legally take individuals to court to collect the $50 ticket. However, Wells suggests that these cases rarely progress that far, as the city is aware that they may face dismissal or an appeal that could establish a body of law cutting off their revenue stream.

Therefore, while individuals may choose to pay off their red light camera tickets in Tennessee to avoid any potential hassle, it is not a legal requirement to do so, and non-payment will not result in any negative consequences for the individual.

The city of Memphis can take you to court over a $50 ticket, but most cases don't get that far

Red light camera tickets in Tennessee are considered civil infractions and not criminal ones. They are not considered moving violations, and they do not add points to your license. Tennessee State Law requires each citation to state explicitly:

> NON-PAYMENT OF THIS VIOLATION CANNOT HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE, CAR INSURANCE RATES, OR CREDIT REPORT.

This means that if you do not pay a camera ticket, there will be no negative consequences for your driver's license, insurance rates, or credit score. However, it is important to note that this applies specifically to camera tickets and not tickets issued by a police officer or other law enforcement official.

The city of Memphis has used red light cameras for over a decade, and these citations have generated significant revenue for the city. While the city can take you to court over a $50 ticket, most cases do not get that far, according to attorney Murray Wells. Wells suggests that the city is aware that if the other party shows up with a lawyer, the case will likely be dismissed or appealed, potentially cutting off the city's revenue stream from these citations.

Some people choose to pay camera tickets to avoid any potential long-term effects on their driver's license or credit score, even though the law states that non-payment will not impact these areas. It is also worth noting that, according to one source, if you do not pay the ticket, a collection agency may become involved. However, this does not seem to be a common occurrence, and most people who have received these tickets report no negative consequences for non-payment.

In summary, while the city of Memphis can technically take legal action over unpaid camera tickets, it rarely does so. Tennessee state law specifically protects drivers from negative consequences for non-payment, and these tickets are generally not enforced. However, it is still a personal decision whether to pay the fine or not, and some individuals may choose to do so to avoid any potential issues.

Tennessee State Law requires each citation to say that non-payment will not negatively impact your driver's license, insurance rates or credit report

Red light cameras have been in Memphis for over a decade, and citations from these cameras have brought in millions of dollars to the city. Many people, including former State Representative Andy Holt, have taken issue with the ticket program, and Holt has repeatedly urged people across the state not to pay the tickets.

In 2020, Holt introduced HB 1656, a bill that "prohibits the issuance of traffic citations based solely on evidence obtained from unmanned traffic cameras used to monitor and enforce traffic signal violations or speed limits." However, lawmakers struck the bill down before it even left the committee. Despite this, according to Lenagar & Barnes, Tennessee State Law requires each citation to say in large bold letters:

> "NON-PAYMENT OF THIS VIOLATION CANNOT HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE, CAR INSURANCE RATES, OR CREDIT REPORT."

Attorney Murray Wells agrees with Holt, stating that there doesn't seem to be any statutory authority to enforce a ticket from a red light camera. While the city of Memphis can take you to court to collect the $50 ticket, Wells says that most cases do not get that far. He adds that prosecutors may see that you have unpaid red-light camera tickets and refuse to dismiss another traffic violation.

In conclusion, while there is no legal requirement to pay red light camera tickets in Tennessee, there may be some potential consequences, such as prosecutors refusing to dismiss other traffic violations. However, it is important to note that non-payment of these tickets will not negatively impact your driver's license, car insurance rates, or credit report, as stated by Tennessee State Law.

Unmanned traffic enforcement cameras are prohibited on federal interstate highways except for Smart Way cameras and in school zones

The use of unmanned traffic enforcement cameras in Tennessee has been a contentious issue, with some lawmakers and lawyers arguing against their use and the resulting tickets. While the city of Memphis has profited from these citations, there is no legal requirement to pay them.

Former State Representative Andy Holt has been a vocal opponent of unmanned traffic cameras, urging people not to pay the tickets and even burning a citation he received. Holt introduced a bill, HB 1656, in 2020, which aimed to prohibit the issuance of traffic citations based solely on evidence from these cameras. However, the bill was struck down before leaving the committee.

Despite this, Attorney Murray Wells and other legal sources assert that there is no statutory authority to enforce these tickets. Tennessee State Law requires each citation to include a disclaimer in bold letters, stating:

> "NON-PAYMENT OF THIS VIOLATION CANNOT HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE, CAR INSURANCE RATES, OR CREDIT REPORT."

This indicates that non-payment will not result in any legal consequences. While the city can take individuals to court over these tickets, most cases do not get that far.

It is worth noting that there are specific provisions regarding "unmanned" cameras. If an officer is present and actively operating the camera, it is not considered unmanned. Additionally, any unmanned traffic enforcement camera used to monitor speed and issue speeding citations is prohibited on federal interstate highways, with two exceptions: Smart Way cameras and cameras in school zones.

In summary, while there may be some variation in individual experiences and local ordinances, the general consensus is that unmanned traffic enforcement camera tickets in Tennessee can be disregarded without legal repercussions. However, it is always advisable to stay informed about any changes in the law and make decisions accordingly.

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