Are Camera Speeding Tickets Worth Contesting In Court?

In Maryland, drivers caught speeding by a fixed camera are required to pay a fine. The cameras are positioned in high-risk areas, school zones, and residential areas, and are triggered when a vehicle passes by at 12 miles or more over the speed limit. A ticket is then mailed to the owner of the vehicle, including photographs and details of the violation. While these tickets are considered minor offenses, they can result in fines and court dates. Ignoring them can lead to additional fines and penalties, such as a suspended registration. Drivers have the option to pay the fine, plead guilty with an explanation, or request a trial to dispute the ticket.

Fines and penalties for camera speeding tickets

Camera speeding tickets are issued when a vehicle travels at a speed of 12 miles or more over the speed limit. The cameras are placed across the state, in high-traffic and dangerous sections of the road, such as school zones, work zones, and residential areas.

If you are caught speeding by a camera, you will receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days of the alleged offence. You must respond to this within 28 days, identifying who was driving the car at the time of the offence. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £1,000 and six penalty points on your driving licence.

If the police decide to proceed with their prosecution and have identified the driver, you will receive either a Fixed Penalty Notice or a court summons. A Fixed Penalty Notice is what is usually meant by a "speeding ticket" in the UK. The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence. If you are within two years of passing your driving test and you receive points, you will have to redo your theory and practical test.

If you plead guilty and pay the fine, the amount you pay depends on where you were caught speeding. In England and Wales, you can pay the fine online or by checking the ticket for other payment methods. In Scotland, you can find out how to pay the fine on the relevant website, and in Northern Ireland, you need to contact the Laganside Courts Complex.

If you plead not guilty, you will have to go to court. The court may impose a higher fine of up to £1,000, or £2,500 if the speeding occurred on a motorway. The amount you are fined depends on the speed limit, how much you exceeded it, and your income. The court may also disqualify you from driving or suspend your licence.

If you are caught speeding, it is best to consult a motoring solicitor for advice.

Contesting a camera speeding ticket

Review the Ticket:

Carefully examine the details of the ticket, including the date, time, location, and alleged speed. Look for any discrepancies or errors that could weaken the prosecution's case. Check that the information on the ticket matches your records and that you were actually driving the car when the ticket was issued.

Gather Evidence:

Collect any evidence that may support your case. This could include witness statements, photographs, videos of the area where the alleged violation occurred, or documentation of equipment malfunctions. If you were not the one driving, gather evidence to support this claim, such as a sworn statement from your employer or documentation from a medical professional.

Consult an Attorney:

Consider seeking legal advice from an experienced traffic attorney who can guide you through the specific laws and procedures relevant to your case. They can help you build a strong defense strategy and navigate the court system.

Plead Not Guilty:

Respond to the citation by the deadline, which is typically within 30 days of receiving the ticket. You must plead not guilty if you want to dispute the ticket. In some jurisdictions, paying the fine is considered an admission of guilt.

Request a Hearing:

Demand a full formal hearing or trial. You may also be required to attend other hearings, such as pre-trial hearings or mediation, prior to the formal hearing.

Request Production of Documents:

Call the local police department or law enforcement agency responsible for the camera and request any relevant documents, such as maintenance records for the camera and traffic light or speed monitoring system. This can help establish that the equipment was properly maintained and calibrated.

Research Applicable Law:

Look for cases in your city or county regarding traffic cameras and check for any appellate court decisions on the legality of traffic camera tickets. There may be specific defenses recognized by law, such as the requirement for clearly visible warning signs for cameras.

Attend the Hearing:

Arrive at the courthouse on the scheduled hearing date with copies of any documents you intend to use as evidence. Treat the judge and courthouse staff with respect, and present your case clearly and concisely.

It's important to note that the specific process and requirements for contesting a camera speeding ticket may vary depending on your location. Be sure to review the laws and procedures specific to your jurisdiction.

How camera speeding tickets work

Camera speeding tickets are issued when a vehicle passes by a fixed camera location while going over the speed limit. The cameras work by taking a photograph of the passing car, including the license plate. The photograph of the license plate will then be reviewed to identify the owner of the vehicle. The owner will then be mailed a copy of the violation, including photographs and the speed the vehicle was traveling.

The cameras are typically placed in high-risk areas, such as school zones and residential areas, to reduce speeding and increase pedestrian safety. In the US, speeding cameras are much less common than red light cameras, which take pictures of automobiles when they enter an intersection while the light is red.

Once a driver receives a camera speeding ticket, they have the option to pay the fine or contest the ticket. Ignoring a ticket can result in additional fines and penalties. If a driver chooses to contest the ticket, they may be able to argue that the camera was malfunctioning, or that they were not the person driving the vehicle at the time of the violation. In some jurisdictions, drivers may also be able to dispute the admissibility of the photograph as evidence or argue that the prosecution cannot prove they were speeding.

It's important to note that the laws and regulations regarding camera speeding tickets can vary by state and even by city. For example, in some states, camera speeding tickets are considered civil violations rather than criminal matters, which means there are no points assigned to the driver's record. In other cases, camera speeding tickets may be deemed unconstitutional and unenforceable. Consulting with a traffic ticket lawyer can help drivers understand their specific rights and options.

The legality of camera speeding tickets

While these citations are typically considered minor offenses, they can result in fines and potential court dates. Failure to respond to the ticket may lead to additional fees and penalties, and the accumulation of these tickets can result in license points and increased insurance rates. Therefore, it is generally advisable to address camera speeding tickets promptly, either by paying the fine or contesting the ticket.

To dispute a camera speeding ticket in Maryland, individuals have the legal right to request a court hearing. Common reasons for disputing a ticket include camera errors, misidentification of the driver, obstruction of speed limit signs, or untimely receipt of the ticket. It is worth noting that paying the fine or pleading guilty with an explanation are considered admissions of guilt and can still be noted on one's driving record.

Given the potential complexities and challenges of disputing a camera speeding ticket, it is recommended to consult a knowledgeable traffic lawyer who can guide individuals through the legal process and help protect their rights.

Pros and cons of camera speeding tickets

Pros of Camera Speeding Tickets

• Speed cameras can reduce speeding in high-risk areas, increasing pedestrian safety and reducing the number of speed-related crashes.
• Motorists who would otherwise not be cautious are more likely to watch their speed in areas known to have speed cameras, especially in urban areas and school zones.
• Drivers who are aware of the presence of a speed camera in a certain area are more likely to comply with the speed limit in that area.
• Drivers who encounter enough speed cameras may start to wonder or assume whether there are cameras in other areas they drive through, which could lead to more cautious driving.
• Accident frequency, particularly T-bone or broadside collisions, is reduced at intersections with red-light cameras.
• Traffic law violations drop significantly in areas with red-light or speed enforcement cameras.
• Pedestrian fatalities have decreased at the majority of intersections with red-light cameras.

Cons of Camera Speeding Tickets

• Some people believe that speed cameras are installed with a primary focus on generating revenue rather than increasing public safety.
• Speed cameras can malfunction, resulting in tickets being issued incorrectly.
• There is no independent verification that speed cameras actually reduce accidents, improve highway safety, or help regulate traffic flow.
• Drivers cannot confront their accuser (the camera) when they receive a speeding ticket, which is a constitutional right.
• Drivers may only adjust their behaviour in areas they know are being surveyed with cameras, and this behaviour may not transfer to other areas without cameras.
• An awareness of the presence of a speed camera can cause some drivers to drive below the posted speed limit, creating a road safety hazard.

Frequently asked questions