Fighting School Zone Camera Tickets: Strategies For Success

School zone speeding tickets are a common issue for drivers in Washington State, with tickets issued by law enforcement officers or speed cameras. While it's challenging to contest these tickets, there are strategies to avoid or reduce penalties. Drivers should be vigilant when entering school zones, reducing speed to the mandated 20 mph limit. It's also advisable to avoid school areas during peak hours, typically early morning and mid-afternoon. If you receive a ticket, do not mitigate; instead, contest the infraction to avoid insurance hikes and driving record marks. While these tickets are costly, they don't affect driving records or insurance rates. Responding promptly is crucial, and hearings can be requested to review camera images or tapes. Understanding school zone laws and speed limits is essential to avoid citations, and legal assistance is available to build a robust defence if needed.

Contest the ticket, don't mitigate it

If you have received a school zone camera ticket in the state of Washington, it is important to know your rights and options. While you have the option to fight or mitigate your penalty, it is worth noting that judges in Washington are not permitted to reduce fines for speeding in school zones. Therefore, if you want to contest your ticket, it is recommended to request a contested hearing instead of a mitigation hearing.

• Mitigation is not an option under Washington law for school zone infractions: According to Washington state law, if a person is found to have committed an infraction, either by admitting to it through mitigation or after a contested hearing, the penalty cannot be waived, reduced, or suspended. This means that even if you have a valid reason for speeding in a school zone, the judge is not allowed to lower your fine. By choosing to contest the ticket, you can challenge the infraction and avoid higher insurance costs and marks on your driving record.
• School zone speeding tickets carry higher fines: Fines for speeding in school zones are typically higher than regular speeding tickets. While regular speeding tickets are considered moving violations, speeding in a school zone leads to more serious consequences. Contesting the ticket gives you the opportunity to avoid these higher fines.
• Protect your driving record: A school zone speeding ticket can impact your driving record, which could lead to higher insurance rates and negative marks on your driving history. By contesting the ticket, you have the chance to avoid these consequences and protect your driving record.
• Challenge the evidence: When you receive a school zone camera ticket, there is usually photo and video evidence of the alleged violation. By requesting a contested hearing, you can review this evidence and challenge its accuracy or validity. For example, you can argue that the speed limit signs were not clearly posted or that the camera was not calibrated correctly.
• Assert your rights: In some cases, you may be wrongfully accused of speeding in a school zone. For instance, if the camera was malfunctioning or if there were no children present, you have the right to contest the ticket and assert your innocence. By simply mitigating the ticket, you are admitting fault, which can have unintended consequences.

In summary, if you have received a school zone camera ticket, it is generally advisable to contest the ticket instead of mitigating it. By choosing to contest, you can challenge the evidence, protect your driving record, and potentially avoid higher fines and negative consequences. Remember to carefully review the details of your case and seek legal advice if needed to make an informed decision.

Check the box that says you were not driving

If you receive a school zone camera ticket in the mail, one option to try to get out of it is to check the box that says you were not driving. This is a viable option because Washington state law does not require that you incriminate the person who was driving. This method can be used for red light tickets, but it is unclear whether it can be used for school zone camera tickets.

If you want to try this method, you will need to fill out and mail in a form called a declaration of non-responsibility. This is a sworn statement under penalty of perjury that the vehicle was not in your care, custody, or control at the time of the violation. You may also submit your declaration by email or fax. You must return the declaration to the court by the due date shown on the front of the notice of the infraction.

The court may cancel your ticket or may schedule a hearing in response to a declaration of non-responsibility, depending on the circumstances and the vehicle's or owner's history of camera violations.

Request to see the images or tape from the camera

If you receive a citation in the mail for speeding in a school zone, it is important that you respond. Failure to do so could result in a suspended license or other serious consequences. Luckily, these types of tickets do not harm your driving record, so there is little downside to either paying the fine or contesting the ticket. If you feel that the ticket was issued in error, you can request to see the images or tape from the camera that recorded the incident. While it is unlikely that you will be able to prove your speed, simply showing up to your hearing might result in a reduced fee. If the ticket was issued to another driver while they were borrowing your vehicle, you should definitely attend the hearing and ask to see the photo, as under Washington State law, you are not responsible, and the citation may be dismissed altogether.

Attend a hearing to get an extension on the payment date

If you need to request an extension on the payment date for a school zone camera ticket, you can attend a hearing in court to do so. Here is some information on how to go about this process:

Before the Court Date

First, find the court that is servicing your case. You will receive a reminder notice in the mail, usually within 2-3 weeks, which will indicate the relevant court. Then, call the court before the trial date to state your case and ask for an extension. It is crucial to follow up as soon as possible to avoid any penalties or additional hurdles in resolving your ticket. If you don't have an overdue fine, you may have the option to request an extension online, by phone, or in person.

At the Court Hearing

If your court date arrives before you are able to request an extension, you can ask for an extension on your arraignment date. If you are unable to pay the ticket at all, you can appeal to the judge in court. If you can demonstrate a financial hardship that is preventing you from paying the ticket, the judge may take this into account and grant you an extension.

After the Court Date

It is still possible to get an extension even after your court date has passed. You will need to appear in court to request an extension to avoid further penalties. Check your county's rules and regulations, as some may have stricter guidelines or limitations on the length of extensions.

Familiarize yourself with school zone laws to prevent future citations

School zones are designated areas where there are periods of the day with high levels of foot traffic, including children, parents, and school buses. To ensure safety, speed limits are decreased during key times of the day, such as arrival and departure times. The speed limit in most school zones is reduced to 25 miles per hour, but in some places, it can go as low as 15 miles per hour. These speed limits are enforced by signs, which may also include flashing lights to indicate when the reduced speed limit is in effect.

In California, the law provides for a speed limit of 25 miles per hour when driving within 500 to 1,000 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street. If the school grounds have no fence and children are outside, never drive faster than 25 miles per hour. For most schools, these rules apply only during specific hours, such as arrival and departure times, and the noon recess period.

In Washington, the speed limit in school zones is typically 20 miles per hour. It is important to be vigilant when entering a school zone and to reduce your speed accordingly. School zones may extend 300 feet from the school or playground property, as well as 300 feet from a marked school or playground crosswalk.

To avoid citations, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the specific school zone laws in your state. Know the speed limits, the designated school zone areas, and the times when the reduced speed limits are in effect. By adhering to these laws, you can help ensure the safety of children and avoid costly tickets.

Frequently asked questions