Please note, that as of June 2, 2019, red light ticket cameras are banned in Texas. However, the ones currently in operation will be allowed to operate until their contract expires. Some have contracts that will take several years to expire.
One thing I need to know, before I get into red light camera tickets. Is it possible to open a roll of stamps without destroying the first four or five? Okay, on to red light camera tickets.
You guys with red light camera tickets, and I am speaking of red light camera tickets in Texas only. Red light camera tickets are not the same as when an officer writes you a ticket for running a red light. Camera tickets do not go on your driving record. You probably will not find a lawyer to represent you on them. The only people I know who are possibly hurt by them, are people who drive their employers vehicle, such as metro bus drivers. Camera tickets get mailed to the registered owner. So, if you drive your employers vehicle, and they care about your driving habits, making the classic "California stop" in their vehicle may be a problem for you. A red light camera ticket is a civil matter, unlike when an officer writes you up for up for a red light, which is a criminal matter. Why does it matter whether civil or criminal?
Since a camera ticket is not criminal, you have less constitutional protections, than you would if it were a criminal matter. With a camera ticket, you are not entitled to a jury trial, only an administrative hearing before a hearing officer. The burden of proof to hold you liable for a camera ticket, is a lot lower than that required to prove your guilt in a criminal matter.
Since you are only entitled to an informal hearing, coupled with the fact that camera tickets are not reported to your driving record, few lawyers, if any touch them. Myself included. What I tell people when they call with camera tickets is to look at the picture or video. If it is favorable to you, and you want to take the time, request the hearing. If it shows unfavorable to you, or you do not want to take the time, just pay it and drive on. Whatever you decide, if you own the vehicle, in which the camera ticket was gotten, do not ignore it. Things like this tend to come back to haunt you at the worst possible time. These are things like holding up the registration, when it is time to renew, or when it is time to sell or trade your car.
Charles French was licensed to practice law in Texas in 1991. The majority of his practice includes the Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts in Houston, Harris County and surrounding counties. You may visit his website by going to:
http://www.charlesfrenchattorney.com
