Fighting Baltimore Camera Tickets: A Step-By-Step Guide

Baltimore has a history of unfair traffic camera systems, with a previous network discontinued in 2013 due to erroneous tickets being issued. However, the city has since implemented a new system of speed and red light cameras, with the primary goal of improving road safety and reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities. These cameras are typically placed near schools and active accident-prone areas, and are operational during specific times of the day and week. Motorists exceeding the speed limit by 12 miles per hour or more will be flagged and issued a ticket, which carries a fine that must be paid within a certain timeframe to avoid additional penalties. It's important to note that these tickets are civil violations and do not affect insurance rates or driving licenses. This article will provide comprehensive information on how to handle Baltimore camera tickets, including payment options and procedures for requesting reviews and appeals.

How to fight a Baltimore camera ticket

If you want to fight a Baltimore camera ticket, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, it's important to understand the type of ticket you've received. Baltimore has both speed cameras and red-light cameras, and the process for contesting tickets may vary slightly between the two.

Understanding Your Ticket

When you receive a ticket, it's important to carefully review the information on it. The ticket will typically include details about the violation, such as the date, time, and location where it occurred. It will also include information about the vehicle that was captured by the camera, including the license plate number and a description of the vehicle.

Reviewing Your Options

If you believe you have been wrongfully cited, you have the right to contest the ticket. The steps for doing so are usually outlined on the ticket itself or on the website of the relevant authority. In Baltimore, you may have the option to request a review of your citation or contest it in court.

Requesting a Citation Review

In some cases, you may be able to request an administrative review of your citation before taking it to court. This process can vary depending on the specific jurisdiction, but it generally involves submitting a request form and providing any supporting evidence or documentation that may help your case. The review will be conducted by an impartial party, and a decision will be made based on the evidence presented.

Contesting the Ticket in Court

If you wish to contest the ticket in court, you will need to follow the procedures outlined by the court. This may include filing a request or appeal within a specified timeframe. During the court hearing, you will have the opportunity to present your case and any evidence that supports your claim. This could include witness testimony, photographs, or other relevant documentation. It's important to remember that the burden of proof may lie with you to demonstrate why the ticket should be dismissed.

Important Considerations

It's important to act promptly when dealing with a camera ticket. Failing to respond to the ticket within the specified timeframe can result in additional fees and penalties. Additionally, keep in mind that fighting a camera ticket may not always be a straightforward process, and there is no guarantee of success. Seeking legal advice or consulting with a traffic lawyer who has experience with similar cases in Baltimore may improve your chances of a favorable outcome.

In summary, fighting a Baltimore camera ticket involves understanding your violation, exploring your options for disputing it, and potentially requesting a citation review or contesting it in court. Remember to act promptly and consider seeking legal advice if you are unsure of your options.

How to pay a Baltimore camera ticket

If you've received a camera ticket in Baltimore, you have a few options for how to pay it. Firstly, you should be aware that you can either pay the citation or contest it. If you want to pay the citation, you can do so online, by mail, or in person.

Paying Online

To pay a camera ticket online, you can use the Baltimore City citation payment website for parking, red light, and speed camera citations. Search for your license plate number, find your "open" citation number, and enter your bank or credit card information to pay the citation.

Paying by Mail

To pay by mail, write a check made out to the Director of Finance. Include your license plate number on the "notes" or blank lines, and send the check to the following address:

> City of Baltimore

> Attn: Parking Fines

> P.O. Box 13327

> Baltimore, MD 21203

Paying in Person

To pay your camera ticket in person, bring a personal check, cashier's check, or money order to one of the floor associates at the Abel Wolman Municipal Building:

> 200 Holliday Street

> Baltimore, MD 21202

Note that Baltimore City will not accept cash or credit card payments in person.

Other Payment Methods

You can also pay by phone with a credit card by calling +1 (877) 729-6269, or with a check by calling +1 (866) 397-4609.

Boot on Your Car

If your car has been booted, do not pay online. Instead, call the 24/7 boot lock removal line at +1 (877) 810-7907, or pay in person at the Abel Wolman Municipal Building address listed above.

Baltimore camera ticket fines

In Baltimore, traffic cameras are used to enforce speed limits and red lights, with the aim of improving safety for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users. The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) has implemented an Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System (ATVES) to provide consistent enforcement of traffic regulations and reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

The speed and red-light cameras capture photo and video evidence of vehicles breaking the speed limit or running red lights. Speed cameras are either permanent fixtures or portable devices, and they measure vehicle speed using radar technology. They are typically placed near schools, along expressways, or in work zones, and they are operational during specified times, such as 6 am-8 pm on weekdays.

If a vehicle is detected exceeding the speed limit by 12 miles per hour or more, the driver will receive a warning for the first violation. Subsequent violations will result in a $40 fine per infraction. Similarly, red-light camera violations incur a $75 fine per infraction. These fines must be paid within 30 days of the violation notice date. Failure to pay the fine or contest the violation may result in additional fees and penalties.

It is important to note that these traffic camera citations are considered civil violations and do not affect your insurance rates or driver's license status. However, if you choose to contest a citation in court and are found guilty, you may be required to cover court costs. Additionally, the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) has the right to refuse registration renewal for vehicles with outstanding citations exceeding $1,000.

To pay or appeal a ticket, individuals can do so by mail, in person, or online through the Baltimore County Government website. Requests for appeals or hearings must be made within the specified time frames, which vary depending on the type of citation.

Baltimore camera ticket appeals

If you want to appeal a camera ticket in Baltimore, you have several options. Firstly, you can request a hearing or appeal your ticket by mail, in person, or online. You will need your citation number, which you can obtain by calling 410-887-8154 or emailing payments@baltimorecountymd.gov. For a speed or red-light citation hearing request, call 410-887-2777 within 40 days of the issue date.

Alternatively, you can contest your ticket in court by mailing a request at least five days before the due date on your notice. Send your request to:

> Baltimore City Parking Fines

> 200 Holliday Street

> Baltimore, MD 21202

You can also apply to contest your citation online by entering your vehicle tag number or citation number and clicking "Request a Trial".

If you were not the driver at the time of the violation, you must take your citation to court and write a letter stating that you were not operating the vehicle. This letter must be sworn or affirmed by you and include corroborating evidence such as:

• The name and address of the person who was driving
• The driver's license identification number, if possible
• Any other relevant information

This letter and evidence must be sent within 30 days of the violation mailing date to:

> Baltimore City Parking Fines

> 200 Holliday Street

> Baltimore, MD 21202

You can also visit the Parking Fines Office in person and fill out a transfer of liability form.

If you received a speed camera citation in Baltimore County that you believe was issued in error, you can request a review of your citation before paying or requesting a court date. Download and complete the Citation Review Form, including your name, address, email, a daytime phone number, citation number, and reason for your request. Email the completed form to citationreview@baltimorecountymd.gov or mail it to:

> Citation Review Section

> 400 Washington Avenue, Room 149

> Towson, Maryland 21204

All requests must be made in writing, and reviews typically take three to five business days to complete.

Baltimore camera ticket citations

Baltimore has implemented an Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System (ATVES) to enforce traffic regulations and improve safety on the roads. This system includes speed and red-light cameras that capture photo and video evidence of vehicles committing traffic violations. If you receive a ticket from one of these cameras, you have several options for how to respond.

First, it's important to understand the types of violations and corresponding fines. Traffic camera infractions result in civil citations with the following fines:

• Speed camera: $40 per infraction.
• Red-light camera: $75 per infraction.
• Commercial vehicle height camera: a warning for the first offense, $125 for the second offense, and $250 for the third and subsequent offenses.

These citations must be paid in full within 30 days of the violation notice date. Failure to pay the fine, request a violation review, or contest the violation liability by the due date may result in additional fees and penalties from the City of Baltimore and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.

Now, let's outline your options when responding to a camera ticket citation in Baltimore:

• Pay the Fine: You can choose to pay the fine associated with the citation. Payments can be made by mail, online, or in person. Each option may have specific instructions and requirements, so be sure to follow the directions provided on the citation or the relevant official websites.
• Request a Hearing: If you wish to dispute the citation, you can request a hearing. For a speed or red-light citation, you must call the Baltimore County number (410-887-2777) within 40 days of the issue date. For other types of citations, such as parking tickets, you may have a shorter timeframe, so be sure to check the instructions on your citation.
• Appeal the Ticket: You also have the option to appeal the ticket. Instructions for requesting an appeal are typically provided on the back of the ticket. Appeals for parking tickets, for example, must be received within 10 days of issuance.
• Contest the Citation in Court: If you believe you were not at fault or have extenuating circumstances, you can choose to contest the citation in court. This option may require you to appear in court and present your case before a judge. Check the "Request a Trial" box on the citation, sign and date it, and mail it to the address provided.

Remember, failing to respond to a traffic ticket within the specified timeframe can result in additional penalties and consequences for your driver's license and vehicle registration. Always review the information on your citation carefully and take action promptly to avoid further complications.

Frequently asked questions