Fight Camera Tickets: Culver City's Legal Options

If you've received a traffic camera ticket in Culver City, you may be wondering if there's a way to fight it without going to court. The good news is that there is! It's called a Trial by Written Declaration, and it's a real court trial that takes place in written form instead of in person. This option is available to all California drivers, and there are even apps and online systems that can help you build your case and submit the necessary documents to the courthouse by mail. While traffic camera tickets in California can cost hundreds of dollars, with additional fines and penalties, you may be able to get your ticket dismissed and avoid any points on your driving record or increases in your insurance.

Check if you've received a 'snitch ticket' or a real ticket

A "Snitch Ticket" is not a real ticket. It is a notice sent by the police to catch people for violating red light statutes. It is an investigative tool to find out the identity of the driver. It is not from a court but a police station or office. It does not have a due date to pay or appear and does not include a summons. You can ignore a Snitch Ticket.

A real ticket will have a due date to pay or appear, will include a summons, and will be from a court. It will also have the court's address and phone number.

Snitch Ticket:

• Not from a court but a police station or office
• Does not have a due date to pay or appear
• Does not include a summons stating "You must pay or appear on or before"
• Does not have the court's address and phone number

Real Ticket:

• Has a due date to pay or appear
• Includes a summons
• Is from a court
• Has the court's address and phone number

If it's a real ticket, you can fight it using a Trial by Written Declaration

If you've received a camera ticket in Culver City, California, you may be able to get it dismissed without going to court. Camera tickets can be very expensive, often costing $490 or more for just the fine, not to mention the potential impact on your driving record and insurance premium.

One way to fight a camera ticket is through a Trial by Written Declaration. This process allows you to contest your citation entirely by mail, without having to appear in court. Here's how it works:

• Plead Not Guilty by Mail: Submit a Written Not Guilty Plea (CVC 40519(b)) to the court, requesting a Trial by Written Declaration (CVC 40902). This can usually be done by mail or in person.
• Write Your Trial by Written Declaration: You will have around three to four weeks to prepare your written declaration, in which you can present evidence (e.g., pictures, diagrams, witness statements) and testify on your behalf. The citing officer will also provide a written declaration justifying the citation.
• Judgment: If the citing officer fails to respond by the due date, your case will likely be dismissed, and your bail will be refunded. If the officer responds, a judge will review both declarations and make a decision. If you are found not guilty, the charge is dismissed, and your bail is refunded. If found guilty, a fine may be imposed, or you may be assigned to complete a DMV-approved Traffic Violator School.
• Trial de Novo: If you are found guilty at the Trial by Written Declaration, you have the right to request a new trial (Trial de Novo) within 20 days of receiving the guilty verdict. This will be an in-person trial where you can present your case to the judge, and the citing officer will also be present.

It's important to note that successfully fighting a camera ticket depends on various factors, such as the quality of the evidence and your specific circumstances. Seeking professional help or consulting a traffic ticket specialist can improve your chances of a favorable outcome.

If the driver photo is unclear, you have a solid legal basis to get the ticket dismissed

If you've received a red light camera ticket in Culver City, California, you may be able to get it dismissed if the driver photo is unclear. This is because, by law, automatic enforcement systems are required to produce a "clear" picture of the driver. If the photo is unclear, you have solid grounds to get the ticket dismissed.

To fight your ticket on these grounds, you can request a full hearing or trial. Before your hearing, you'll need to gather evidence to support your case. Call up the local police department or the law enforcement agency in charge of the camera and request copies of the photos, as well as full maintenance records for the camera and the traffic light or speed monitoring system. If the camera was not regularly monitored and maintained, or if its accuracy was not tested shortly before your ticket was issued, the photo may be unreliable as evidence.

When you appear at your hearing, treat the judge and courthouse staff with respect, and present your case in a calm and professional manner. Argue that the photo is unclear and, therefore, in violation of the requirement that a "clear" picture of the driver be produced. If the judge rules in your favor, your ticket will be dismissed.

It's important to note that fighting a camera ticket can be a complex process, and you may benefit from seeking legal advice or representation. Services like Ticket Ninja and Ticket Assassin offer assistance with fighting camera tickets, and a traffic lawyer can help you build a strong case and improve your chances of getting your ticket dismissed.

If the yellow light interval was too short, you can ask the camera operators to prove it was set properly

If you've received a red light camera ticket in Culver City, California, you may be able to get it dismissed without going to court. These tickets can be very expensive, often costing $490 or more, so it makes sense to find out how you can get it dismissed.

One of the defences that has been used successfully is the yellow light interval defence. Here, you will claim that the yellow light interval was unusually short. You can ask the red light camera operators to prove that the yellow light interval was set properly and that it was in proper working condition at the date and time of the citation.

The yellow light interval at intersections must be set according to the speed limit in the vicinity of the intersection. However, in certain cases, the yellow light interval may not be set properly or may be set too short, leading to an increased number of red light camera tickets being issued. These tickets can be successfully challenged in court, but by using the trial by declaration process, you can provide a more complete defence for your ticket without going to court.

To fight your ticket using the yellow light interval defence, you can use the services of a traffic ticket defence specialist like Ticket Ninja. They will review your ticket photos and video free of charge and with no obligation to use their service. If they find a good defence, they will help you get your ticket dismissed. Their services cost $99 with a money-back guarantee.

If there was no 'photo enforcement' warning sign, take photos of the intersection and use them as evidence

If you believe there was no "Photo Enforcement" warning sign posted near the intersection, go back to the intersection and check. Sometimes the sign is posted before the intersection, and sometimes right at it. If there is no sign, or if the sign is obscured by an obstruction such as tree branches, take photos of the intersection and use them as evidence. Forward these photos to the relevant authority, such as Ticket Ninja CA, who can help you get your ticket dismissed.

California law requires that photo enforcement warning signs are placed at all photo enforcement-equipped intersections. When the photo enforcement sign is missing or obstructed, red light camera tickets can be successfully challenged and dismissed.

Frequently asked questions