Traffic Light Cameras: Tickets for Incomplete Stop Before Right Turn

Receiving a ticket for an incomplete stop before a right turn from a traffic light camera can be a questionable offense. Many people have fought these citations and won. The key factors in fighting a ticket for incomplete stop before a right turn by the traffic light cameras are: type of traffic light camera, timing, short yellow lights and where you stopped. 

Traffic Light Cameras

Many traffic light cameras are just that, cameras, they do not take video, they merely have photos. It will be very difficult for the city to win if you fight your citation based on there being no available video footage of you running the red light, a picture will not prove there was no stop. This being said, in most cases there is actual video footage available. One of the main things to determine is if the video footage is actually available for you to view, or if there are technical difficulties with the footage. If the latter is true, you may be able to fight the citation due to no proof that a stop was not made.

Timing 

Timing references the timing the citation actually arrived to the owner of the vehicle's home. In many jurisdictions the citation actually has to be mailed within fifteen (15) days to the registered vehicle's owner. The amount of days will vary in each jurisdiction; however, if the citation was not sent out in the appropriate amount of time this may be a cause for dismissal.

Short Yellow Lights 

Believe it or not, many jurisdictions actually have laws regarding the amount of a time a light has to be yellow depending on the area and posted speed limit. Some do not have these laws, so check in your area to be sure. If your area has laws regarding short yellow lights, determine the length of time this particular light is yellow. Some cities have illegally used short yellow lights to bring in more money where they have traffic light cameras. 

Where You Stopped

If you actually stopped, an important factor is where you actually stopped. Some cameras will generate a ticket if you stopped but it is past the crosswalk or stopping line. Fighting this ticket may generate another for stopping in the crosswalk, be cautious fighting if you were stopped in an illegal spot. 

Getting Legal Help

It is important to contact a local attorney when fighting a citation from a traffic light camera for an incomplete stop before a right turn. An attorney will be able to give you the legal help necessary.