Memphis Camera Tickets: What You Need To Pay

If you've received a camera ticket in Memphis, Tennessee, you might be wondering if you need to pay it. The short answer is no, you don't. According to West Tennessee State Representative Andy Holt, photo enforcement citations from any town in Tennessee are civil citations, not criminal ones, so you are not required to pay them. In fact, Holt encourages people not to pay these types of tickets. While the city of Memphis can take you to court over a $50 ticket, it's unlikely to happen due to the cost of legal fees.

Red-light camera tickets are civil citations, not criminal ones

Red-light camera tickets issued in Memphis, Tennessee, are civil citations and not criminal ones. This means that non-payment cannot adversely affect your credit report or credit score, your driver's license points, or your automobile insurance rates. In essence, it cannot have any adverse impact on you.

The debate around red-light camera tickets in Memphis has been ongoing for years, with many questioning the legality of these citations and whether they need to be paid. According to West Tennessee State Representative Andy Holt, these tickets are civil citations, and therefore, citizens are not required to pay them. He even encourages people not to pay, stating that there are no legal consequences for non-payment.

However, it's important to note that the city of Memphis can still try to collect payment for these tickets. You may receive letters, threats, collection notices, and even letters from attorneys. These are considered intimidation tactics by Holt, who maintains that it's not worth the city's time or energy to pursue legal action over a $50 ticket.

In 2019, more than 120,000 people in Memphis were sent red-light camera violation notices, and only just over a third of those paid. This brought in approximately $3 million in revenue for the city, with half going to the city and the rest to American Traffic Solutions, the company operating the camera systems.

While some lawyers, like Murray Wells, agree with Holt's stance and advise their clients to disregard these tickets, others acknowledge the financial incentive for the city and the camera company. Nevertheless, the bottom line is that, according to Holt and other legal professionals, you are not legally obligated to pay red-light camera tickets in Memphis, despite the city's efforts to collect payment.

Non-payment cannot impact your credit score, driving record, or insurance rates

If you receive a photo enforcement citation or a red-light camera ticket in Memphis, Tennessee, non-payment cannot impact your credit score, driving record, or insurance rates. This is because these citations are civil citations, not criminal ones. According to Tennessee State Law, each citation must include the following statement in large bold letters:

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

This means that even if you don't pay the fine, it won't affect your credit score or driving record, and your insurance rates won't go up as a result. The city of Memphis has the option to take you to court to collect the $50 ticket, but in practice, this rarely happens. According to West Tennessee State Representative Andy Holt, the companies that issue these citations are unlikely to take you to civil court over such a small amount of money.

While non-payment won't directly affect those areas, there may still be other consequences. You may receive letters, threats, collection notices, and letters from attorneys attempting to collect the debt. These are considered intimidation tactics by some, but it's important to understand your rights and obligations regarding these citations.

The city can take you to court, but it rarely happens

While receiving a red-light camera ticket in Memphis, Tennessee, can be frustrating, it's important to understand your rights and responsibilities. Some people might wonder if they truly have to pay the fine associated with these tickets.

Firstly, it's crucial to recognize that red-light camera tickets in Memphis are considered civil citations, not criminal ones. This distinction is essential because it means that non-payment of the fine typically won't result in any legal consequences for your driver's license, car insurance rates, or credit report. In fact, Tennessee state law mandates that all traffic camera citations include a statement in bold letters, specifying that "non-payment of this violation cannot have a negative impact on your driver's license, car insurance rates, or credit report."

Now, let's address the question of whether the city can take you to court for non-payment. Technically, the city of Memphis does have the legal option to sue a violator for non-payment of a red-light camera ticket. However, according to attorney Murray Wells, most cases don't get that far. He explains that if a violator shows up in court with a lawyer, the case is likely to be dismissed or, at most, taken to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, which could establish a body of law that cuts off the city's revenue stream from these tickets.

Additionally, West Tennessee State Representative Andy Holt emphasizes that it's not practical for the city to take individuals to court over these $50 citations due to the cost of legal fees. He states, "They will never make back off the citation to take you to court, so in essence, you are never going to court." This sentiment is echoed by the Chiozza Law Firm, which mentions that they have never seen or heard of the city taking anyone to court over red-light camera tickets in Shelby County or other cities across Tennessee.

In conclusion, while the city of Memphis technically has the legal ability to take you to court for non-payment of a red-light camera ticket, it rarely, if ever, happens. This is primarily due to the civil nature of the citation and the cost-prohibitive nature of pursuing legal action for such a small fine. As always, if you have specific legal questions or concerns, it's best to consult with an attorney.

The cameras are a financial gain for the city and the company that operates them

The presence of red-light cameras in Memphis, TN, has been a contentious issue for many years, with some arguing that they are a necessary safety measure, while others claim they are nothing more than a money-making scheme for the city and the company that operates them.

The financial gains from these cameras are significant. In 2019, the city of Memphis collected $3 million in revenue from red-light camera tickets, with over 120,000 fines mailed out and just over one-third of those paid. This revenue is split between the city and the company that operates the camera systems, American Traffic Solutions, Inc. According to reports, these cameras have generated over $26 million in profit for the city and the company, with the company receiving nearly half of the total revenue.

While the primary purpose of red-light cameras is to improve road safety by deterring drivers from running red lights, some studies have found that they may actually increase accidents. Abrupt stops when drivers see a red-light camera have been linked to an increase in rear-end collisions. Additionally, the cameras have been criticised for their inability to prove that the owner of the vehicle was the person driving at the time of the violation, raising questions about the fairness of issuing tickets based solely on automated systems.

Despite the controversy, the city of Memphis continues to defend the use of red-light cameras, arguing that they improve road safety. However, with the significant financial gains associated with these cameras, it is clear that revenue generation is also a major factor in their continued presence in the city.

Some people pay fines to avoid long-term effects on their driver's license or credit

Red-light cameras have been in Memphis for over a decade, and they have proven to be a financial success for the city and the companies that own and install them. In 2019, citations from these cameras brought in $3 million to the city, with just over a third of those fined paying up.

While many people have taken issue with the ticket program, the fact remains that these tickets are civil citations, not criminal ones, and there is no legal requirement to pay them. Tennessee State Law requires each citation to include the following statement in large bold letters:

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

Despite this, many people choose to pay their fines to avoid any potential long-term effects on their driver's license or credit. While it is true that non-payment cannot affect your credit score or driving record, the city does have the option to sue violators for non-payment. However, this rarely happens in practice, and most people pay their tickets out of fear of the consequences.

State Representative Andy Holt has been a vocal opponent of the red-light camera ticket program, even going so far as to burn a citation he received. Holt introduced a bill in 2020 to make it harder for cities like Memphis to hand out these citations, but it was struck down before it left the committee. According to Holt, the cities with red-light cameras may still try to collect payment through intimidation tactics such as letters, threats, and collection notices. However, he believes that it is not worth the time or energy for the companies to take violators to court over a $50 fine.

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