Obscured License Plates: Fighting Camera Tickets

If you've received a ticket from a red light camera, you may be wondering what to do next, especially if your license plate number is not visible in the photo. In most cases, you will be notified of the violation by mail, and you can then choose to pay the fine, contest the citation, or enroll in a driver improvement course. However, if you're unsure whether you've received a ticket, you can usually check the status of your license or vehicle registration online, by phone, or by visiting your local courthouse or law enforcement agency. Keep in mind that ignoring a ticket can lead to additional fines, a suspended license, and other legal consequences.

Check your driver's license for any red light tickets

If you're concerned about any red light tickets that may be on your driver's license, there are a few ways to check. It's important to note that these methods vary depending on your location, so be sure to check the relevant laws for your area. Here are some general steps you can take:

Check with the Relevant Authority

In some places, like Florida, you can check for any red light tickets through the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They may have a website where you can enter your driver's license number to see if you have any outstanding tickets. Alternatively, you may need to call or visit their office to make an inquiry.

Contact the Local Courthouse

Red light violations are typically enforced by the courthouse in the county where the violation occurred. You can find the contact information for the relevant courthouse and inquire about any tickets associated with your driver's license. Keep in mind that if you've travelled across multiple counties or states, you may need to contact multiple courthouses.

Speak with a Violation Processing Company

In some cases, local governments may partner with companies that process traffic violations. For example, in Florida, many cities use American Traffic Solutions (ATS), which can be contacted to check for red light tickets. Provide them with your name and license plate number, and they can inform you of any violations.

Check with Your Local Court Website

In certain jurisdictions, you may be able to search for traffic tickets or violations online. Visit the website of the county court where the violation may have occurred and search using your driver's license, vehicle license plate, or citation number. This can be a convenient way to check for any outstanding tickets.

Remember, it's important to take care of any red light tickets promptly to avoid further complications, such as license suspension, fines, or increased insurance rates. Each location may have different procedures for handling red light tickets, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the relevant laws and procedures.

Call your local courthouse to check for violations

If you're unsure whether you've received a camera ticket, calling your local courthouse can be an effective way to check for any violations registered against your name or vehicle. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to go about this process:

• Identify the Relevant Courthouse: Different states and counties have varying procedures for handling camera tickets. In some cases, you'll need to contact the county courthouse responsible for enforcing red-light violations, while in other areas, you may need to reach out to the traffic court in the county where the alleged incident occurred.
• Contact the Courthouse: Once you've identified the appropriate courthouse, you can give them a call. Have your driver's license number and vehicle plate number ready, as these details will help them look up any violations associated with you or your vehicle.
• Inquire About Violations: When you connect with the courthouse representative, explain that you want to check for any camera ticket violations. They will likely ask for your identifying information, such as your name, driver's license number, or vehicle plate number, to search their records.
• Clarify the Search Parameters: If you've recently travelled across multiple counties or states, be sure to specify the date range and locations for which you want to check for violations. This will help ensure that the courthouse conducts a comprehensive search.
• Understand the Next Steps: If the courthouse confirms that you have a camera ticket violation, ask for details about the violation, including the date, time, location, and nature of the infraction. Also, inquire about the options available to you, such as paying the fine, disputing the ticket, or requesting a hearing.
• Take Necessary Action: Depending on the information provided by the courthouse, you can then decide on the best course of action. If you believe the ticket is valid, you may choose to pay the fine. However, if you feel the ticket is incorrect or unjustified, you may want to explore options for disputing it or requesting a hearing to present your case.

Remember that laws and procedures can vary by location, so it's always a good idea to consult official sources or seek legal advice specific to your region if you have further questions or concerns about handling camera ticket violations.

Contact American Traffic Solutions (ATS) for information

If you have received a red-light camera ticket and are unable to view your license number, you can contact American Traffic Solutions (ATS) for more information. ATS is a U.S.-based firm that produces red-light cameras and other traffic safety technologies.

ATS has contracts with 275 governmental bodies and supplies 40% of automated traffic law enforcement systems across the United States. The company has rebranded under Verra Mobility Corporation, and you can reach them by calling 1-866-225-9975.

When you call, you will need to navigate the service menu to speak to an operator. Provide your name and license plate number so they can check if you have any red-light tickets. If you have received a ticket, make sure to note down the citation number and date.

You can also find out more information about ATS by visiting their LinkedIn page or website. ATS's LinkedIn page can be found by searching for "American Traffic Solutions" on the LinkedIn website or by visiting www.linkedin.com/company/verramobility. Their website address is www.verramobility.com.

Additionally, ATS provides the following description of how its intersection safety technology works:

> "A single Axsis™ RLC-300 Intersection Safety Camera captures two high-resolution images from the rear of the vehicle using our 16-megapixel camera. The first image shows the vehicle with the front wheels behind the stop bar and the illuminated red light, and the second image shows the vehicle in the intersection with the rear wheels past the stop bar and an illuminated red light. These two images contain all the information needed to prosecute a red-light violation, including a clear image of the license plate, extracted from one of the actual violation images—only our single camera system can extract a plate from the completion photo if the initial plate is blocked."

Understand the consequences of ignoring a ticket

Ignoring a camera ticket can have various consequences depending on where you received the ticket and whether you were pulled over by a traffic officer or not.

If you were pulled over by a traffic officer, you will have signed a promise to appear in court, which proves you have received notice of what to do. Not showing up in court becomes a "failure to appear" or an FTA, and under the Vehicle Code, this FTA authorises the court to notify the DMV, who will then likely suspend your license. The court may also issue a warrant for failing to appear.

However, if you receive a ticket through the mail, you can technically ignore it without consequence in some jurisdictions, such as in LA County, as there is no way of proving that you received the ticket. Nevertheless, this may not always be the case, and you may receive mean letters from collection agencies demanding payment. Furthermore, if you are later issued a ticket by a traffic officer that sends you to the same court as the camera ticket, you may be required to address the camera ticket, although judges often dismiss the fine.

In Arizona, if you receive a mailed ticket, you may be able to ignore it if it was not sent and filed by the court, meaning it is not a certified court document. However, the photo radar company can still choose to impose fines, and if you are a repeat offender, there may be an investigation, and you could face more serious charges, such as obstruction of justice. If you are served a citation and fail to pay the fine within the deadline, your license could be suspended, and you could face a fine or jail time if you continue driving.

Therefore, while it may be possible to ignore a camera ticket in certain jurisdictions, it is not always advisable to do so, as there can be financial and legal consequences. It is essential to research the specific laws and regulations in your area to understand the potential consequences fully.

Declare non-responsibility if you weren't driving

If you receive a camera ticket and you weren't driving, you can declare non-responsibility. This applies to situations where you are the registered owner of the vehicle, but someone else was driving when the ticket was issued.

In some states, such as Washington, the owner of the vehicle is presumed to be the driver and is issued the ticket. However, you can dispute this by submitting a "declaration of non-responsibility", in which you declare that you were not the driver. You do not have to identify who was driving unless you wish to do so.

Some cities provide their own declaration of non-responsibility forms, which may ask you to name the driver. However, you are not legally required to provide this information. You can find sample affidavits/declarations online that you can send to the court instead.

• Download an affidavit/declaration form for the city where you received the ticket. You can find these forms on city websites or other online sources.
• Fill out the form with your information and the court's information. Make sure to sign it.
• Mail the affidavit/declaration to the city municipal court. You can find the address on the sample forms or the city's website.
• Send in the "declaration of non-responsibility" that was sent to you by the court to the address they requested. Do not name the driver on the form. You are not legally required to do so.
• Wait for a response from the court. It may take a few weeks to a couple of months to receive a letter stating that your case has been dismissed.

It is important to note that the process and requirements may vary depending on your location. Always check the specific laws and procedures for your state and city.

Frequently asked questions