California Camera Tickets: Do You Have To Pay?

California has implemented red-light cameras in many locations to capture law violators and decrease deaths from unsafe driving. When a vehicle passes over a sensor on a red light, a camera captures a photo of the license plate and the driver, and a traffic ticket is mailed to the registered owner. The ticket includes a fine, photo evidence, a copy of the citation, and information on challenging the ticket. While these tickets are legal, there are stipulations on what constitutes an enforceable ticket, and drivers may be able to lower or dismiss them under certain circumstances. Additionally, payment of red-light camera tickets is optional in some California counties, and the state DMV will not suspend licenses for non-payment. However, drivers are still obligated to pay fines or fees to the court.

Red light camera tickets are triggered by sensors

The photos and videos are then reviewed by an officer or technician to verify that a violation has occurred. If a violation is confirmed, a ticket is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. This ticket will include the amount to be paid in fines, the photo evidence, a copy of the traffic citation, and information on how to challenge the ticket.

The fines for running a red light in California are typically $100 for running straight through a solid or flashing red light, $35 for making an illegal right turn at a red light, and $35 for running a stop sign. These fines can be lowered or dismissed by completing a course through a California traffic school.

Red light cameras are run by third parties

In California, running a stop sign or red light can result in a fine and demerit points on your driving record. Many locations throughout the state have red light cameras installed to capture law violators. These cameras are triggered by sensors when a vehicle passes over them after a traffic light turns red, and they capture a photo of the license plate and driver. The ticket is then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle, along with the fine amount, photo evidence, a copy of the citation, and information on challenging the ticket.

Interestingly, most red light camera systems in California are not operated by the cities themselves but by third-party companies. This creates a motivation for these companies to issue tickets, as they are often contractually obligated to meet a minimum number of recorded violations. This may result in vehicle owners receiving unwarranted tickets. Therefore, it is essential to carefully review the information provided with the ticket.

The base fines for red light violations in California are as follows:

• $100 for running straight through a solid or flashing red light
• $35 for making an illegal right turn at a red light
• $35 for running a stop sign

These base fines can quickly escalate due to the addition of various fees and surcharges. It is not uncommon for the total fine amount to reach $400.

Receiving a red light camera ticket can have several consequences. Firstly, it adds a point to your driving record, which can increase insurance rates. Accumulating too many points can also lead to a license suspension. Secondly, a red light violation can result in a reckless driving conviction, depending on the circumstances. In the worst-case scenario, if the offense results in the death of another person, the driver may face vehicular manslaughter charges.

It is important to note that not all red light camera tickets require action or have penalties for non-payment. In some cases, tickets may be issued accidentally, such as when a driver makes a right-hand turn without coming to a complete stop. It is possible to fight these tickets, lower the fine, or even have them dismissed. Consulting with an attorney or an online traffic school can help determine the best course of action.

You may be able to lower, dismiss, or ignore your ticket

If you receive a red light camera ticket in California, you may be able to lower, dismiss, or ignore it. Here are some options to consider:

• Lowering the fine: If you cannot afford to pay the fine, you can ask the court to lower it, set up a payment plan, give you more time to pay, or allow you to perform community service instead. This is known as an ability-to-pay determination. You will need to provide the court with information about your financial situation. In some cases, you may be able to make the request online through the MyCitations program.
• Dismissing the ticket: There are several ways to potentially get your ticket dismissed:
• If you were not the one driving your car when the incident occurred, you can submit an affidavit form along with a copy of your driver's license and a recent photograph. The court will then need to identify the driver before proceeding.
• Check if the yellow light interval at the intersection was shorter than the minimum required time. If so, you can use this as evidence to support your case.
• Ensure that warning signs are posted within 200 feet of the intersection and are clearly visible to oncoming traffic. If there are no warning signs or if they are obscured, this can be used as a defence.
• Request information on the maintenance of the red light camera system. California law requires these systems to be calibrated and inspected regularly. If the camera had not been properly inspected or failed calibration, this may be grounds for dismissal.
• If the quality of the photo taken by the red light camera is poor (e.g., due to bad weather conditions), it may not clearly identify the driver, and the ticket could be dismissed.
• Ignoring the ticket: According to sources, it may be possible to ignore a red light camera ticket in California without facing severe consequences. However, doing so could result in your case being submitted to a collections agency, which could affect your credit score.

You can ask the court to lower your fine

If you receive a camera ticket in California, you may be able to lower the fine or reduce or remove the points from your record. You can ask the court to lower your fine if you can't afford to pay it. This is known as an ability-to-pay determination.

The court will consider your ability to pay the fine once it has decided on the amount. You will need to provide the court with information about your financial situation when making the request. You can use Form TR-320, 'Can't Afford to Pay Fine: Traffic and Other Infractions', to make your request. You can mail or take the form to the court, or in some cases, file it online.

In some courts, you can also use an online program called MyCitations to submit your request and upload any proof of your financial situation. All courts in California will use MyCitations by June 30, 2024.

If your financial situation changes, you can make another request to lower the amount using the same form.

It's important to respond promptly and accurately when you receive a camera ticket in California. Aside from fines, these tickets can also add points to your driving record, which can lead to license suspension if you acquire too many.

Red light cameras are legal in California

Red light cameras are, indeed, legal in California. Since the introduction of the California Vehicle Code section 21455.5, allowing red light cameras, many California cities have started using automated enforcement cameras to monitor red light violations.

Red light cameras are installed at intersections and synchronized with traffic lights. A ticket is issued when a sensor detects a car crossing the line after the light has turned red. If you are in the intersection when the light turns red, or you enter an intersection on a yellow light, you should not receive a ticket.

Red light cameras capture two photos: one of a car crossing the intersection during a red light, and another of the car in the middle of the intersection. The second photo is evidence that the car entered the intersection on purpose and also contains the date, time, location, violation number, and car speed.

If you are caught running a red light by a camera, you will likely notice due to the flashes that go off. A traffic ticket will then be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle, along with the dollar amount to be paid in fines, photo evidence, a copy of the traffic citation, and information on how to challenge the ticket.

The amount of fines to be paid for California traffic violations includes a base fine plus a number of fees and surcharges, which can substantially increase the total fine amount. The base fines for common violations run anywhere from $35 to $100, but with surcharges, you could be looking at anywhere from $100 to $400 for violations such as making an illegal right turn at a red light.

In addition to fines, a red light traffic ticket can result in points on your driving record. Depending on how many points are on your record, additional marks may result in a license suspension. More points on your driving record are almost guaranteed to cause your insurance provider to increase your rates.

Frequently asked questions