Most times a traffic ticket is given in person, by being pulled over by an officer. But, with the number of drivers on the road being significantly higher than the number of police cruisers, authorities are looking for new ways to issue tickets. One way that has been implemented in cities across Florida is by use of a red light camera, a device that captures images of traffic offenders and generates a citation. The use of these devices has recently come under fire, and there is some good news for those that received tickets as a result.
News reports on the issue claim some offenders may be receiving a refund of fines paid. Here are the facts:
● A lawsuit against the company that manages the cameras and the program utilized to create traffic citations was filed in federal court.
● The suit seeks over $5 million in damages.
● The basis for the lawsuit is that issuing traffic tickets in this way violates the constitution, and people who received a ticket in this fashion are entitled to a refund of any fines or penalties paid as a result.
One of the problems with this system is that the management company was screening the footage, and deciding who to ticket. The Court ruled a private company is not authorized to make this determination, and thus any ticket issued as a result of this practice is not valid. For more information about traffic tickets and your rights, call a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. You are guaranteed certain rights when criminal charges are brought against you, and a competent attorney will fight to make sure your rights are not violated.
If you have questions about traffic tickets, or have been arrested for a crime, call our office for help. Contact us today schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. The first visit is a free initial consultation.