Who has information/advice on contesting photo tickets?

Question

I just received a ticket in the mail today. It's one that was taken by a video camera. It says I had not stopped completely at a red light before turning left. Upon further inspection of the pictures which have your location, vehicle speed and such information on it, I realized it was completely wrong. There are two pictures. In both pictures the lights are green! The first picture says I am driving at 17 miles an hour, just starting to turn a corner. The second picture shows me driving away from the corner. It's about 15 feet and it says the second picture was 89 seconds later than the first.

There is no way it's possible to be driving 17 miles an hour and take 89 seconds to get around a 15 foot street corner. Also,, the light is obviously green in the pictures.

I am going to contest the ticket and appear in court. Has anyone done this before? Are they easy or hard on you? Did the officer show up?

Do these mistakes happen a lot with tickets that are photographed/video taped?

Pictures from the actual ticket are below:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a390/DeliberateAngel/ticketa.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a390/DeliberateAngel/ticketb.jpg

Answer 1

I can't see how you can lose in Court.

I'd show these photos to the DA first - he may decide to withdraw the charge.

Answer 2

It looks as though there would have been a light across the intersection in front of you as well. If they are basing it on that light that may not have been green, then their lights are out of sync. The light closest to you is the one you are obviously going to see first. I'm sure if you were going to not stop, you would have been going faster to make sure you got the green light.

Good luck in appealing. Looks like the first answer has good ideas.

:)

Answer 3

Isn't big brother a hoot? I agree that it sucks. It seems like more & more cameras go up in my area. To avoid those area's google ticket camera locations + your area name to see a map.

As for fighting them, I put a link to some resources to help you.

Good luck!!!!