Dispute Camera Tickets In Lake Forest Park, Wa: What You Need To Know

If you've received a camera ticket in Lake Forest Park, Washington, you may be wondering how to dispute it. The first step is to understand the type of ticket you have received and the specific violation that has been captured. In Lake Forest Park, automated traffic safety cameras are used to detect and record violations such as stoplight and speed zone infractions, particularly in school zones and areas with higher crash risks. The registered owner of the vehicle is typically held responsible for the violation, but there are ways to dispute this presumption. It is important to know your rights and the specific laws pertaining to these types of tickets in Washington State.

How to fight a camera ticket without going to court

Check the ticket details

First, check the date, time, and location of the ticket. Because camera tickets are sent to the owner of the car, not the driver, make sure you were actually driving the car when the ticket was issued. If someone else borrowed your car, you can't be prosecuted. Understand that some states, like New York, treat red-light camera tickets like parking violations, holding registered owners liable rather than the driver. Make sure you check the red light law in the jurisdiction where you got the ticket.

Examine the photos

If the notification included photos, review them to confirm it's your car in the photo and that the photo is clear. Your best defense may be the blurriness of the photo. If the license plate isn't clearly visible, it may be difficult to confirm that the car is yours. If there's no clearly identifiable photo of you in the driver's seat, this may be a defense, especially if you live in a jurisdiction that requires tickets to follow the driver, not the registered owner of the car.

Plead not guilty

Plead not guilty by mail or online if possible. Some jurisdictions allow you to respond to the citation either by mail or online, rather than going to a live arraignment in traffic court, for less serious traffic violations such as speeding or running a red light. Check your citation and make sure you plead not guilty before the deadline, which is typically within 30 days.

Request a formal hearing

When you plead not guilty, demand a full formal hearing or trial. You may also be required to attend other hearings such as pre-trial hearings or mediation. Attend those as required but don't accept anything less than a full dismissal of your traffic camera ticket.

Request production of documents

Call the local police department or law enforcement agency in charge of the camera used to issue your citation to request full maintenance records for the camera and the traffic light or speed monitoring system. If their accuracy wasn't tested shortly before your ticket was issued, the photo may be unreliable as evidence.

Research the applicable law

Look for cases in your city or county about traffic cameras and see if any appellate court decisions have ruled on the legality of traffic camera tickets. Aside from the camera itself, there may be other recognized defenses by law. For example, some states have specific rules about where warning signs must be posted for traffic lights. If the warning signs were obscured or not present, you'd have a defense.

Other considerations

• Photo enforcement violations do not get applied to your driving record. They are treated like a parking ticket.
• As with a parking ticket, it does not matter who drives the vehicle. It's the registered owner who is responsible for the violation. This presumption may be overcome if the registered owner states that the vehicle was under the control of someone else.
• You do not have to name the actual driver on the declaration of non-responsibility form.
• Some cities have links to their own Declaration of Non-Responsibility forms on their websites.

What to do if you weren't driving

If you weren't driving when the ticket was issued, you can dispute the ticket. The ticket will be sent to the owner of the car, not the driver, so make sure you check who was driving when the ticket was issued.

In Washington state, if the registered owner wasn't driving, the ticket can be overcome. You can submit an affidavit to this effect, and it would be legally difficult for anyone to prove otherwise. You can also fill out a 'declaration of non-responsibility' form and drop it off at the courthouse.

You can also request a formal hearing or trial. You will need to appear in traffic court and plead not guilty. You can then demand a full formal hearing or trial. You will also be required to attend other hearings, such as a pre-trial hearing or mediation.

You can also dispute the admissibility of the photograph as hearsay. In some jurisdictions, a red light camera photo is considered hearsay. Hearsay is an out-of-court statement presented in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted.

How to prove your innocence if you weren't at fault

If you want to prove your innocence and dispute a camera ticket in Lake Forest Park, Washington, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, examine your ticket and confirm the date, time, and location of the violation. Since camera tickets are issued to the owner of the car, you should ensure that you were indeed the person driving the vehicle at the time of the incident. If someone else was borrowing your car, you cannot be prosecuted. However, some states, like New York, treat red-light camera tickets as parking violations, holding the registered owner liable. Therefore, it is essential to check the specific red-light law in the jurisdiction where you received the ticket.

If you were driving, try to recall the details of the incident and write down any relevant information. For instance, you may have been making a legal right turn on red when the photo was taken, which could be grounds for dismissing the ticket. Additionally, make note of the specific code section you are cited for violating and understand the associated penalties. Remember, it is the prosecution's responsibility to prove each element of your violation.

Review the photos or video evidence associated with the ticket. If the license plate is not clearly visible, it may be challenging to confirm that the vehicle is yours. Additionally, if there is no identifiable photo of you in the driver's seat, this can be another line of defense, especially if you live in a jurisdiction that requires tickets to be issued to the driver rather than the registered owner of the car.

If you intend to dispute the ticket, you must plead not guilty by the specified deadline, typically within 30 days. You may be able to do this by mail, online, or by appearing at an arraignment or first appearance hearing. Request a formal hearing or trial and demand the production of relevant documents, including maintenance records for the camera, traffic light, or speed monitoring system. Establishing that this equipment was not regularly monitored or calibrated can cast doubt on the reliability of the evidence.

Research applicable laws and cases in your city or county regarding traffic cameras. There may be recognized defenses that you can use, such as the necessity defense for speeding or specific requirements for posting warning signs in certain states.

When appearing at your hearing, present your case respectfully and professionally. Listen to the prosecutor's arguments and challenge the admissibility of the photograph as hearsay if possible. Assert your right to confront witnesses, as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. If no one from the company that maintains the camera testifies, object to the use of the photographs for lack of foundation. Dispute the authenticity of the photograph and argue that the prosecution cannot prove you were driving, especially if there is no clear photo evidence of you in the driver's seat.

Additionally, you can raise other possible defenses, such as arguing that the traffic light was not functioning properly or that there were no visible warning signs posted. These strategies can help you prove your innocence and successfully dispute a camera ticket.

What to do if you don't receive a response from the court

If you have received a photo enforcement infraction ticket in Lake Forest Park, WA, and want to dispute it, there are a few steps you can take. Firstly, it is recommended that you watch an informational video by visiting www.violationinfo.com and clicking on the "Get More Information" box. Here, you will be able to view the photos, plate number, and video clip associated with your infraction.

Now, if you have not heard back from the court within 90 days of your initial hearing request, you should contact the court directly at lfpcourt@cityoflfp.gov or by calling (206) 364-7711. It is important to keep in mind that due to court staffing shortages, there may be delays in processing your hearing request.

In general, if you don't receive a response from the court regarding your dispute, there are a few steps you can take:

• Try to work things out informally: Start by attempting to resolve the issue directly with the other party involved. Keep records of all your communications, including emails, letters, and any responses you receive. This documentation will be important if you need to take further action.
• Send a written request: If informal attempts fail, you can send a written request to the other party or their lawyer. Explain what information you require and set a deadline for their response. Keep proof of your communication, such as emails, letters, or receipts of delivery.
• Request a court order: If you still don't receive a response or the response is incomplete, you can ask the court to intervene. You will need to provide documentation showing that you attempted to resolve the issue informally. The court may then order the other party to respond to your requests.
• Complete and submit relevant forms: Depending on the specifics of your case, you may need to fill out certain forms, such as an "Answer" form, to respond to the complaint or dispute. Ensure that you carefully review and understand the type of form you need to complete, as well as any associated fees or deadlines for submission.
• Seek legal resources: Familiarize yourself with the legal resources available to you, such as local law libraries or online guides specific to your location. These resources can provide valuable information on your rights, options, and the steps you can take to resolve your dispute.

How to avoid a ticket scam

With large-scale events returning after the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers are taking advantage of the high demand for tickets to popular events. Here are some tips to avoid getting scammed when purchasing tickets online:

• Purchase directly from the venue whenever possible. Going directly to the venue may not only save money but also ensures the validity of the ticket. Venues often list the secondary resale organizations they are partnered with, providing an additional layer of protection.
• Consider your source. There is a big difference between purchasing from a professional ticket broker and a ticket scalper. While dealing with a ticket scalper may result in obtaining valid tickets, the risk of encountering a scammer is significantly greater. Always exercise caution when purchasing from sources who are not members of trusted organizations like the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB) or Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Research the seller or broker. Brokers who are members of NATB offer a 200% purchase guarantee on tickets, protecting consumers. Visit NATB.org to confirm you are purchasing from a NATB-member resale company.
• Know the refund policy. Only purchase tickets from a ticket reseller that provides clear details about the terms of the purchase. Avoid sellers who do not disclose where the seats are located or where tickets can be picked up. If the deal seems “too good to be true,” trust your instincts and thoroughly investigate the seller before purchasing.
• Use protected payment options. Debit cards, wire transfers, and cash transactions are risky due to difficulties in recovering money if the purchase is for invalid tickets. Always pay by credit card for purchases over £100 (and up to £30,000) as you get extra rights and protection. Never transfer money directly into an individual’s bank account.
• Verify your purchased tickets. If you doubt the authenticity of a ticket, present it to the “Will Call” or customer service center of the venue hosting the event. They will be able to verify if the ticket is legitimate.

In addition to the above tips, be cautious of websites that offer the impossible, such as tickets to events that are already sold out. Scammers often request payment by bank transfer in these cases, which should be a red flag. Always check with the event organizer for official ticket distribution lists and only access websites by typing the URL directly into your browser, rather than clicking on links in unexpected emails or social media posts.

Frequently asked questions