Understanding Red Light Tickets 2024 (Everything You Should Know)

Many factors can lead to receiving a red-light ticket. For instance, a yellow light that is too short may leave you little time to react, while a car approaching from behind might pressure you into an unsafe decision.

Additionally, traffic signals can sometimes be obscured by trees or signage, making it difficult to see when the light changes.

These same circumstances can serve as valid defenses if you decide to contest a red-light ticket. Understanding these nuances can be crucial in your case. Evidence, such as photographs or witness statements can support your claim.

Knowing your rights, what is a traffic ticket,  and the options available to you can make a significant difference in the outcome. Read on for more information on strategies to beat this type of ticket and protect your driving record.

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The First Step: Traffic Court to Contest Your Red Light Ticket

Running a red light is a traffic offense, a red light ticket therefore will be handled in traffic court unlike traffic misdemeanors or criminal offenses, which are typically handled in criminal court. If you want to contest the red light ticket, typically, you must elect to go to traffic court. This is a specialized type of civil court and is suited to fight things like a red light ticket.

In some jurisdictions, you can appear by affidavit, which involves making a written statement submitted to the court before your court date. You may also have the option of having an attorney appear on your behalf. You lose the right to contest the ticket if you pay without going to court.

Read more: How Should You Respond to a Red Light Camera Ticket?

Traffic offenses are strict liability offenses. The State only has to prove that you committed the offense, not that you had the intent to do so. Red light tickets are usually enforced in one of two ways. An officer can view you committing the offense or a camera monitoring an intersection can take a picture of you committing the offense.

In either situation, if you can show that the traffic signal was malfunctioning, the yellow light was too short to avoid running a red, or your field of vision was obscured through no fault of your own, the judge may see a reason not to uphold the ticket. Also, if you can show that you would have committed greater harm, such as hitting another car or a pedestrian by not running the red light, the judge may not uphold the ticket.

If you ran the red light because you were trying to avoid harm to yourself and your vehicle, it is the judge’s decision whether to uphold the ticket. These circumstances are individual when it comes to fighting a red light ticket.

Disprove the Officer Who Gave You the Red Light Ticket

You have less of a chance of winning a case that involves an officer. Magistrates or judges rule on traffic cases. They are more likely to believe an officer.

You may be able to show through evidence, including eyewitnesses, photos, and testimony about where the officer was positioned, that the officer could not have seen you committing the offense. This puts the officer’s credibility at issue. The judge may then be more likely to believe you.

Learn more: In which courts can a decision be appealed?

You can also argue that you did not run the red light, but the officer issued you a ticket for the offense because he or she has a personal vendetta against you. In addition, you can argue that the officer has poor eyesight and could not have seen you run the light. In any of these situations, you should bring in evidence to prove your point.

Challenge the Red Light Ticket Camera

Cameras can take pictures that are not clear, and sometimes the ticketing agency gets license plate numbers wrong. If you can prove the person in the picture was not you, the vehicle in the picture is not your vehicle, the light was not red, or your vehicle was part of a funeral procession, you may be able to beat the ticket.

In addition, you can challenge the right of the entity ticketing you to issue the citation. In many states, only the State has the authority to ticket you for traffic offenses. Cities are often the parties that put up the monitoring cameras.

In addition, if the city has not ratified its contract with the business that runs the monitoring equipment at the time your ticket was issued, the judge may declare your ticket invalid.

Understand more: Does a Speeding Motorist Have the Right to See the Radar Gun?

You can also make constitutional arguments against monitoring equipment as a method of fighting a red light ticket. These include the idea that the use of monitoring equipment violates your right to due process because it puts the burden of proof on the accused; and that traffic laws should be uniform across a state, and different cities’ laws violate this concept. If a judge sees these arguments your way, they could throw out your ticket.

The Cost of a Red Light Ticket

The cost of a red light ticket varies by state and jurisdiction. The median range of tickets can range from $50 to $500, and can also lead to increased insurance rates.

Some may wonder, “Is it worth fighting a red light camera ticket?” to try and avoid spending the money and the insurance costs. Understanding how to defend yourself in traffic court or with the help of counsel is key to building a strong case, such as proving signal malfunction or obscured views.

Some jurisdictions offer red light ticket forgiveness for first-time offenders or under certain circumstances. A well-prepared red light ticket dispute can save you money and prevent points on your driving record. If there is a malfunction or an obstruction around the light, bringing awareness to the issue will help others in the community.

How much is a ticket for running a red light? As mentioned above it varies by state. Below is an approximate breakdown for a few of those states:

• Texas: $200
• California: $500, plus additional fees
• Florida: $158
• New York: $50

Learn more: Should Your Hire an Attorney for a Speeding Ticket in New York?