Fight Speeding Tickets: Mesa, Maricopa Camera Fines Overturned

If you've received a speeding ticket in Mesa, Maricopa, you may be wondering if there's a way to get out of it. While it's never advisable to ignore a citation, there are some strategies you can use to potentially avoid paying the fine. One tactic is to avoid being served; by law, the court has 90 days to serve you with the ticket in person, and if they fail to do so, the case will be dismissed. Another strategy is to challenge the ticket in court, particularly if there are mitigating circumstances, such as unclear signage or a malfunctioning camera. It's also worth noting that simply receiving a photo radar ticket in the mail doesn't necessarily mean you have to respond, as the cities themselves manage their photo safety programs and there are legal loopholes that can be exploited. However, if you do choose to ignore the ticket, be aware that there is a risk of license suspension and increased insurance premiums.

Don't answer the door to anyone you don't know

If you've received a photo radar citation in the mail for speeding in Mesa, Maricopa, you might be wondering how to deal with it. Here are some tips on what to do and what not to do:

What to Do:

• Check the details of the citation: Note the time, date, and location of the alleged offence. In the case mentioned, the individual was caught speeding near an elementary school at a specific time.
• Verify the speed limit: Ensure that you were indeed exceeding the speed limit. In the example, the individual checked the school website to confirm if school was in session, which would have lowered the speed limit.
• Review the evidence: You can view photos or videos captured by the camera by visiting the relevant website and entering the notice and PIN number. This will help you assess if there is clear evidence of the violation.
• Consider your options: You may have the option to pay the fine, attend traffic school, or fight the ticket in court. Weigh the costs and benefits of each option before deciding.

What NOT to Do:

• Ignore the citation: While it may be tempting to throw away the citation and hope it goes away, this could result in further consequences. In some cases, a process server may come to your home to serve the ticket in person, which could increase the fines or fees.
• Admit guilt: Unless you are certain that you were at fault, do not admit to speeding. If you have doubts about the accuracy of the citation or the calibration of the camera, you may have grounds to dispute it.
• Open the door to strangers: If you are trying to avoid being served with a ticket in person, it is crucial that you do not answer the door to anyone you don't know. Instruct any roommates or family members to do the same. Make it seem like no one is home by keeping your car in the garage and closing the blinds. This will reduce the chances of a process server successfully delivering the ticket.
• Forget to act within the timeframe: In some jurisdictions, such as Arizona, there is a 90-day window after a ticket is filed in court for it to be served to you in person. If this timeframe passes without successful service, the case may be dismissed.

In summary, while receiving a speeding ticket can be frustrating, it's important to handle it appropriately. Review your options, consider the evidence, and take the necessary steps to resolve the issue while also protecting your rights. Remember, if you want to avoid being served with a ticket in person, don't answer the door to anyone you don't know!

Check if the school zone speed limit was in force at the time

If you've received a speeding ticket in a school zone in Mesa, Maricopa, it's important to check whether the school zone speed limit was in force at the time of the alleged offence. This is because the speed limit in school zones may vary depending on the time of day and whether it is a school day.

In Mesa, the speed limit in school zones is typically 35 mph during school hours, and 45 mph outside of school hours. However, it's important to note that the definition of "school hours" may include periods before and after school when children are coming and going, and may extend beyond the official school day. In some cases, school zone speed limits may be in effect for a few hours before and after school gets out, or until a certain time in the afternoon or evening. Therefore, even if school is out for the day, the reduced speed limit may still be in force.

To determine whether the school zone speed limit was in effect at the time of your alleged offence, you can check the school's website or contact the school directly to inquire about their schedule. You can also refer to the flashing yellow warning lights at the school zone, which are typically interfaced with the speed cameras to determine when the speed limit is reduced. Additionally, you can visit the school zone and check the hours listed on the speed limit sign, as some signs may indicate the specific times when the reduced speed limit is in effect.

It's worth noting that the enforcement of school zone speed limits can vary depending on the specific location and the policies of the local authorities. In some cases, the reduced speed limit may be in effect even outside of school hours to accommodate after-school activities or community use of school facilities. Therefore, it's always important to be cautious and adhere to the posted speed limits, even if it appears that school is not in session.

Check the photo for clarity—if it's not clear, you may have a case

If you've received a speeding ticket in Mesa, Maricopa, you may be able to fight it in court. Here are some tips to help you beat the ticket:

Check the Photo for Clarity

If the photo of your car is blurry or unclear, this could be your best defence. If the license plate isn't clearly visible, it may be difficult for the prosecution to confirm that the car is indeed yours. Additionally, if there is no clear photo of you in the driver's seat, the prosecution may not be able to prove that you were the one driving. This is especially important if you live in a jurisdiction that requires tickets to follow the driver, not the registered owner of the vehicle.

To review the photos, you can visit the website www.violationinfo.com and enter the notice number and PIN provided on your ticket. This will allow you to view the photos associated with your traffic complaint.

If the photos are clear and show you driving the vehicle, you may still have other options to beat the ticket, such as arguing that the speed limit signs were not visible or that there were no flashing lights to indicate a reduced speed limit in a school zone. You can also check if the camera has been properly calibrated and maintained by requesting maintenance records from the company that operates it.

Remember, it is the prosecution's responsibility to prove that you were speeding and that you were the driver. If they cannot provide clear evidence, you may be able to get the ticket dismissed.

Don't contact the court or look at the ticket online—this proves you've received it

If you don't contact the court or look at the ticket online, you are not legally obliged to acknowledge the ticket. This is because, in Arizona, a ticket must be delivered in person in order to be valid. If you don't sign the waiver, a process server may come to your home. If they catch you at home, you will pay more on top of the fine. For instance, Mesa will add another $60 to a $283 speeding ticket. Scottsdale adds $50. So, it becomes a gamble: if you're served, you lose extra money. But if you "win", you pay nothing.

Under state law, the case will be dismissed with no consequences 90 days after it entered the court system. However, this 90-day period starts from when the ticket is filed in court, not from the date of the alleged violation. This extra time has caught out many would-be server-dodgers who thought it was safe to open the door.

If you don't answer the door, generally speaking, a process server can't leave the ticket at your door. Under Arizona law, a citation must be given to the defendant or a "person of suitable age" (someone 14 or older) who lives at the home. Translation: to improve the odds of success, roommates and family members must play along. If they open the door to a server, it's game over.

Keep the car in the garage and shut the blinds. This makes it look like no one's home and also provides you with a cloak of invisibility. Because if a server sees you inside and recognises you as the violator, you're done for, even if you don't answer the door. And servers usually have a copy of the violator's driver's license photo. Video cameras and peepholes can be utilised to distinguish process servers from guests.

If you live in a gated community, process servers tend to have trouble getting past gates that require a code to unlock. A guard at the gate might open up for an insistent process server with bona fide court paperwork, especially if the server calls the police for help. But that same guard could also alert a resident to the presence of a server, giving them time to shut off the lights and close the blinds.

Take a defensive driving class to get a ticket dismissed and points removed from your record

If you've received a civil traffic citation in Maricopa County, you can respond by attending defensive driving school, which may result in your ticket being dismissed and points removed from your record. Defensive driving school is a good option if you want to avoid paying a fine or going to court for your violation.

To be eligible to take a defensive driving class in Maricopa County, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must complete the course at least seven days before your court date.
• You have not taken Arizona traffic school in the past 12-24 months.
• You do not hold a Commercial Driver's License.
• The civil traffic citation must be eligible (most civil traffic citations that did NOT cause serious injury or death are eligible).

If you meet these requirements, you can register for a defensive driving class online or by phone. The class is typically 100% online and can be completed from anywhere, on any device with internet access. After completing the class, your completion will be reported to the Arizona Supreme Court, and your court diversion fees will be sent to the traffic court.

Keep in mind that defensive driving school may not be your only option for dealing with a speeding ticket. Other options may include ignoring the ticket, going to court, or challenging the ticket by arguing that the speed limit signs were unclear or incorrect.

Frequently asked questions