Auto photo tix at red light, CA

Has anyone had experience fighting a ticket you were given via the photo machines at intersections to catch people running red lights? I just got one in Los Angeles and I'm unsure if it can be fought. Thanks.

Has a red line been painted on the road as the violation line in the intersection? If so, you can make a very good argument to fight the ticket.
Also, check to see if the photo is a good head shot of you.

[racer72]

The California State Supreme Court ruled last year the ticketing the registered owners of vehicles using photo survelence while violating traffic laws was legal. There is no requirement for red lines on the road or a photo of the driver of the vehicle. About the only way to get out of those types of tickets is to prove you were not the person driving the vehicle.

You are correct, there is no requirement for red lines because they shouldn't be used. However, some cities use red lines, which is in violation of MUTCD. The judge (in AZ) threw my ticket out when I made this argument. MUTCD applies to all states.

Thanks for the info.
I did not see a red line,only a painted crosswalk.
I plan on trying to fight it via a letter to the Judge. There is no way that a camera can "see" or take into account the events going on outside of the photo area. This intersection is a construction mess with tons of steel plates in the road, along with a high level of traffic. (I was NOT speeding either, only 28 in a 30 zone as I went through this light.) I do not have a problem taking my medicine so to speak but I think this photo gig is just yet another way to rip folks out of money...not save lives like they would like you to think.

I am not an attorney, obviously.

[racer72]

In California, you must appear in court. A letter to the court cannot be considered as proof for a dismissal. And you are only going to get about 30 seconds to plead your case and you probably won't be able to come up with an excuse they haven't heard. Good luck.