Pinellas Red Light Camera Tickets
Issued by St. Petersburg, Clearwater, South Pasadena, Gulfport, Kenneth City
Some critics say that municipalities within Pinellas County are feeling the financial squeeze. As a result, they are using their new red light cameras as a means to increase falling revenue under the guise of public safety. Consider that San Diego, California recently collected almost $30 million from their red light cameras in just eighteen months. One camera alone produced nearly $7 million. It could be that city officials have cooked up a creative and effective way to reach into your wallet. With the musical sound track of a ringing cash register, their red light cameras just went live. For that reason, you need to stay vigilant and alert behind the wheel.
I Got a Notice of Red Light Violation in the Mail... Now What?
The "Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act" mandates that a $158 fine be imposed upon the registered owner of a vehicle that passes through a red light, regardless of who was actually driving the vehicle. However, if timely paid, enforcement of the notice of violation is not considered a conviction and points are not made part of the owner's driving record. Unsurprisingly, a portion of the revenue generated from the issuance of the notice of violation goes into the State's general revenue fund. However, the big winner is the city. They get to keep $75 out of each and every $158 notice of violation.
Maybe I Should Just Pay It?
One school of thought is to comply with the “Notice of Violation” and simply pay the $158. After all, there are no points that go on the driving record and it eliminates the risk that the fine will increase or that points could be assessed (if you challenge the violation and lose). On the other hand, there are downsides to paying the “Notice of Violation.” The obvious problem that arises is when you weren’t actually driving the vehicle, yet have to suffer the penalty for another person’s actions. Furthermore, it sends the message to the government that the use of red light cameras is an acceptable means of generating revenue and enforcing traffic laws, when the studies show no rational relationship between the use of cameras and the reduction of traffic accidents.
What If I Want to Fight it on My Own?
You can challenge the citation by submitting a sworn, notarized affidavit that alleges one of the following four defenses:
A.) You ran the red light in order to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle or a funeral procession;
B.) You ran the red light at the direction of a law enforcement officer;
C.) Another person was operating the vehicle; or
D.) You were already written a traffic citation for the same offense by a law enforcement officer.
Note: Filing a false affidavit constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Unfortunately, the State of Florida does not provide you with a form or template for the affidavit you are expected to submit. In addition, Florida law provides that the “legal sufficiency” of the affidavit is determined by the city! In other words, the very government entity that is trying to collect the ticket proceeds is given the authority to decide if you have drafted the correct form for the affidavit or pled a valid defense. You are not given the benefit of an impartial magistrate or judge to decide these issues.
If your affidavit and defense are deemed acceptable, the violation will be dismissed. If it is not, then you will be issued a Uniform Traffic Citation (i.e., a standard traffic ticket). This new ticket will be for “Failure to Stop at a Red Light” and carries a minimum fine of $256.00 and the threat of three points assessed against your driver’s license record. At this juncture, your options are to now either fight the citation or simply plead guilty by paying the higher fine.
What If I Just Ignore the Notice of Violation?
If you do nothing, and simply fail to respond to the initial “Notice of Violation” this will likewise cause the issuance of a Uniform Traffic Citation after 30 days that carries a minimum $256.00 fine and three possible points. Again, the options are now to either fight the case or plead guilty. Failure to deal with the Uniform Traffic Citation within the next 60 days will cause your driver’s license to be suspended.
Possible Defenses
Despite the efforts of the Florida Legislature to stack the deck against the motorists of this State and to upend the “presumption of innocence” that is a vital part of the American system of justice, there are a number of different methods for challenging Florida’s red light camera law:
Challenging the constitutionality of the red light camera law – As the statute is currently drafted, there are several constitutional arguments that can be raised. This includes issues related to the privilege against self-incrimination, due process, equal protection, and the presumption of innocence. These issues are currently being raised in our local court system. You can speak to us about the applicability in your case.
Raising Identity as a Defense – The red light cameras do not provide a method for the State to prove who was driving the vehicle at the time of the alleged offense. In most circumstances, the camera is mounted at an angle to capture the license plate and the vehicle traveling on the roadway. As a result, it is likely that no photographic evidence will exist to show who was actually driving. Convincing the court that the city can’t prove identity could result in a “not guilty” verdict.
Evidentiary Issues – Because a police officer did not actually see a violation, the city’s sole means of proof is limited to photographic evidence. As a result, there are a number of potential challenges that can be raised concerning the admissibility of that evidence. In particular, there may not be a witness who can lay the proper evidentiary “foundation” for the admission of the photographs and video into evidence. Florida courts almost always require testimony that photographs and video “fairly and accurately depict” the scene prior to the admission of such evidence.
Factual Defenses – The video or still photographs may show that the vehicle in question did not actually run the red light or that a right-hand turn occurred properly during a “right on red.” We can argue that the totality of the circumstances demonstrate that the driving did not rise to the level of a traffic infraction and that the citation should be dismissed.
We Can Help!
If you have received a “Notice of Red Light Violation,” or a Uniform Traffic Citation for “Failure to Stop at a Red Light,” our office can help. Call us for a free consultation regarding your options.
St. Petersburg Red Light Camera Locations
- 4th Street and Gandy Blvd.
- 4th Street and 54th Ave. North
- 4th Street and 22nd Ave. North
- 6th Street and 5th Ave. South
- 34th Street and 38th Ave. North
- 34th Street and 1st Ave. North
- 34th Street and 1st Ave. South
- 34th Street and 22nd Ave. South
- 66th Street and 38th Ave. North
- 66th Street and Tyrone Blvd.
- 66th Street and 22nd Ave. North
Kenneth City Red Light Camera Locations
- 58th Street North and 46th Avenue North
- 58th Street North and 54th Avenue North
- 62nd Street North and 54th Avenue North
- 66th Street North and 46th Avenue North
City of South Pasadena Red Light Camera Locations
- Pasadena Avenue and Gulfport Boulevard
- Pasadena Avenue and Shore Drive
- Pasadena and Sailboat Key Boulevard
- Pasadena Avenue and Park Street South
Gulfport Red Light Camera Locations
- 22nd Avenue South and 49th Street
- 22nd Avenue South and 58th Street
-
49th Street North and 15th Avenue South
Related Links:
