I recently received a ticket in the mail for going through a red light. But, the Street name is misspelled on said ticket. Should I pay the fine like I was going to do, or should I bring it to court and argue that the street is non-existent?

Yes

I've had the same thing happen five times. Once I decided to ask the judge about one of them and he said that they make allowances for small mistakes made during good-faith acts by police.

Yes, waste the judge's time, he'll be happy. Just pay it.

They just changed the law regarding misspelled traffic tickets. If you find a mistake, you win $50.00. Remind the judge about this when you go to court...

waste the judge's time? It is he/ she's job to serve the tax payers of Fairfax, not the other way around...

pgens Wrote:
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> Yes, waste the judge's time, he'll be happy. Just
> pay it.

I think that I'll just pay it. How the hell could he/she misspell the name of the street on the ticket??? Jesus

il1 Wrote:
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> waste the judge's time? It is he/ she's job to
> serve the tax payers of Fairfax, not the other way
> around...

yeah... and their are "court fees" to prove it! oh wait...


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

It said on the ticket that the max court costs would be $100, the ticket was $75

GotTicket2 Wrote:
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> I think that I'll just pay it. How the hell could
> he/she misspell the name of the street on the
> ticket??? Jesus


Just FYI...Red Light camera tickets are owned and operated by third party vendors. The "ticket" you got wasn't misspelled by an officer in whatever jurisdiction you ran the light...it was most likely some desk jockey in California that gets pictures from all around the country every minute, looks at the picture to verify a traffic infraction, then mails out the paperwork to you and notifies the county.

It's all a bunch of money-making bullshit. I've heard (and I'm NOT a lawyer), that you have the right to face your accuser and thusly can request in court that the camera be brought in for inspection as well as the person from the third party company (who technically is accusing you of said violation). As these companies are in other states usually and no one is going to hold up a court room to go get a camera from the streets, the ticket is thrown out.
This is just what I've heared, don't take my word for it.

Up2Late Wrote:

> It's all a bunch of money-making bullshit. I've
> heard (and I'm NOT a lawyer), that you have the
> right to face your accuser and thusly can request
> in court that the camera be brought in for
> inspection as well as the person from the third
> party company (who technically is accusing you of
> said violation). As these companies are in other
> states usually and no one is going to hold up a
> court room to go get a camera from the streets,
> the ticket is thrown out.

> This is just what I've heared, don't take my word
> for it.


I've heard that too. You do have the right to face your accuser, but I'm sure our "justice" system has found away to negate that right when it comes to inanimate machines that are primarily there to increase revenue. Plus you may end up just pissing off the judge if you try to pull that shit on your own without proper counsel in the court.

you wont piss of the the judge, of ourse if the ticket is misspelt then it is null and void. if it was law or common practice that the judge let 'small mistakes' slide then every court case would be a complete mess.

The ticket is an official document - if misspelt then NULL AND VOID, need a new one and cant get that so.....

tinfoil Wrote:
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> you wont piss of the the judge, of ourse if the
> ticket is misspelt then it is null and void. if it
> was law or common practice that the judge let
> 'small mistakes' slide then every court case would
> be a complete mess.
>
> The ticket is an official document - if misspelt
> then NULL AND VOID, need a new one and cant get
> that so.....


I really hope you're right tinfoil..but I have this nagging feeling that the judge will just let this b.s. slide through. If it were me, I would consider fighting it.

fight the power, whats the worst that will happen, its your right to fight it and if you lose you pay the face value of the ticket

tinfoil Wrote:
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> fight the power, whats the worst that will happen,
> its your right to fight it and if you lose you pay
> the face value of the ticket


What's the worst that can happen?

You might be surprised that even minor traffic violations have "maximum" penalties (like license suspension, jail, etc) that are almost never imposed.

Piss off the wrong judge the worst that can happen is you leave without your license or are remanded to the Sheriff's deputy,,,,a judge has a lot of power and only a fool fucks with one of 'em!

well if your gonna be a wimp then just pay the fine!

tubby Wrote:
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> What's the worst that can happen?
>

Yea, you could get killed on your way to the courthouse by someone who ran a red light.

Go in, be respectable, argue your case and move on. The judge isn't going to throw the book at you unless you are a complete asshole.

Just consider if the time off from work and potential court costs are worth it. The system is setup to dispute these kinds of issues, so why not try and take advantage of it. Just let us know how it works out.

You might be surprised to find out about these "maximum penalties" indeed... because they don't exist. If you have the option to prepay then that means the maximum penalty given by the courts is a fine. No exceptions.

Now, he could go into court and piss the judge off in such a way as to get held in contempt... I saw it once also. A guy got mad the judge wouldn't give his argument what he thought was due attention, and yelled something at the judge about being disrepectful (using some choicer words than that). The judge, Judge Finch, told the guy to have fun arguing with his cell wall about it.

I don't get what the argument is... is the intention to deny that you ran the red light, based on the street name? Or are you going to claim your car was not at the location specified on the ticket, the location doesn't exist, and therefore the charge is invalid? What is your answer going to be if the judge asks "son, are you denying you ran a red light where the camera that took this picture was mounted?"

pgens Wrote:
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"son, are you denying you ran a red light where the camera that took this picture was mounted?"

Just say "I deny that I or my car were at the location and time indicated on the ticket". Or the 5th can come in handy.

Isn't the burden on the state to show proof that you were where the ticket indicates?

BagODonuts Wrote:
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> Isn't the burden on the state to show proof that
> you were where the ticket indicates?

Yeah, but chances are that the judge knows more about the law than someone seeking advice on this message board, and will look at you like some smartass that needs to be made an example of.

Not you personally, but... You know what I mean.

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13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

If any data on the ticket is incorrect, including name's misspelled, wrong dates, typos on statute numbers, the charges are dropped. Your ticket is void. You may have to discuss what you did, you may incriminate yourself.... the judge may not like how you present yourself... it doesn't matter. Simply point out the mistake on the citation and have a nice day.

If he still finds you guilty, find anyone that knows, even a little, law and sit back while they have a field day.

VOID Wrote:
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> If any data on the ticket is incorrect, including
> name's misspelled, wrong dates, typos on statute
> numbers, the charges are dropped. Your ticket is
> void. You may have to discuss what you did, you
> may incriminate yourself.... the judge may not
> like how you present yourself... it doesn't
> matter. Simply point out the mistake on the
> citation and have a nice day.
>
> If he still finds you guilty, find anyone that
> knows, even a little, law and sit back while they
> have a field day.

Yeah, spend a lot of money on hiring a lawyer to get out of paying your traffic ticket. Genius!

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13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

Let's try to make things work, Mephisto... There would be no lawyer needed. Sure he *COULD* be found guilty since every judge has the right to rule how they please. But what kind of idiot judge would set himself up for that kind of an explanation.

If the judge did decide to "make an example" out of you, go research your rights for a day and you'll make it out of that case. Anyone who knew even a little law would be able to help you out. Not just an expensive lawyer.

But yeah, I understand why you thought I meant expensive lawyer... because that's the interpretation that makes the most sense.

I think that I could win, but I don't feel like wasting a day in court. They have video evidence

VOID Wrote:
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> Let's try to make things work, Mephisto... There
> would be no lawyer needed. Sure he *COULD* be
> found guilty since every judge has the right to
> rule how they please. But what kind of idiot judge
> would set himself up for that kind of an
> explanation.
>
> If the judge did decide to "make an example" out
> of you, go research your rights for a day and
> you'll make it out of that case. Anyone who knew
> even a little law would be able to help you out.
> Not just an expensive lawyer.
>
> But yeah, I understand why you thought I meant
> expensive lawyer... because that's the
> interpretation that makes the most sense.

I just can't imagine spending all that time researching a bullet-proof appeal over a $75.00 red light traffic cam infraction.

I would try saying that I misjudged the yellow light, and ran the red to avoid slamming on my brakes and stopping in the middle of the intersection or whatever. I had to make a quick decision and decided that was the safer option of the two. I'm very sorry, and have been a lot more mindful of it since. This ticket is going to be hard on me financially, and I hope the court will forgive the fine for me just this once.

Of course, don't try that if you have a shitty driving record. Mine is flawless, so it would be a very credible story.

Also, wear a suit.

However, I wouldn't try appealing it on the basis that the street name was misspelled. It just makes one sound like a petty person who knows what they did was wrong, but are trying to get away with it by exploiting the very laws that judges uphold.

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13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

Back in like '04, I had one of the pics of me running a red, I called and said it wasn't me driving, and they waved the ticket. Would that work now??

I've decided to change my opinion to "go for it". As has been mentioned, the worst that can happen is in-full payment of the ticket. There used to be a judge (I have faced) in Fairfax who hates those tickets and loved to throw them out when given a chance... I wonder if dude is still there.

Looking petty is of no concern, those judges see FAR worse, Mr M. I'm going to have to ask you to trust that I've been through it a lot. Just act with some respect and as mentioned, wear a suit... not to respect the court or anything, but because people in street clothes look like total a-holes in court and are not taken seriously.

Don't get me wrong... I think you will lose but if you think it's worth a day off, try it.

I would consult a traffic lawyer...usually in this area they charge $200 for a one hour consultation, and then another $500 for a court appearance. I am sure that money will be well spent on getting that $75 traffic ticket reduced to like $50. Hope this helps....

il1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> waste the judge's time? It is he/ she's job to
> serve the tax payers of Fairfax, not the other way
> around...

yeah... and their are "court fees" to prove it! oh wait...

_________________________________
I'm pro-abortion, not pro-choice.

Gayvis, you mean "there are "court fees" to prove it! oh wait..

Glad your mason education has really paid off.

RESton Peace Wrote:
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> I've decided to change my opinion to "go for it".
> As has been mentioned, the worst that can happen
> is in-full payment of the ticket. There used to
> be a judge (I have faced) in Fairfax who hates
> those tickets and loved to throw them out when
> given a chance... I wonder if dude is still
> there.
>
> Looking petty is of no concern, those judges see
> FAR worse, Mr M. I'm going to have to ask you to
> trust that I've been through it a lot. Just act
> with some respect and as mentioned, wear a suit...
> not to respect the court or anything, but because
> people in street clothes look like total a-holes
> in court and are not taken seriously.
>
> Don't get me wrong... I think you will lose but if
> you think it's worth a day off, try it.


Well, then judges bullshit about maximum penalties. I was in Fairfax traffic court one day and listening to the other cases waiting for mine to be called.

This guy was contesting a speeding ticket...36 in a 25, clean driving record. In his closing statement, the defendant requested "leniency", which appeared to enrage the judge. The judge bellowed, "I AM being lenient. I could take your license for 90 days!".

Now whether the judge actually had the authority to take the guy's license, I don't know. But he goddamn sure told the guy he could...I heard it with my own ears.

Taking someone's license is not akin to jail. We were discussing judges threatening jail time...you can have a whole range of penalties up until you hit misdemeanor and it becomes all about incarceration or the possibility of incarceration.

I totally believe the judge could make that threat to a speeder and still not fall in the field of outrageous punishment I was referring to.

GotTicket Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I recently received a ticket in the mail for going
> through a red light. But, the Street name is
> misspelled on said ticket. Should I pay the fine
> like I was going to do, or should I bring it to
> court and argue that the street is non-existent?


The misspelling doesn't matter. If you bring it up, the prosecutor can easily have the address amended.

I'm going to call and say it wasn't me driving. If they don't buy it, I'll just pay the $75 Sonnabitch

GotTicket5 Wrote:
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> I'm going to call and say it wasn't me driving. If
> they don't buy it, I'll just pay the $75
> Sonnabitch


Absolutely. Perjury is the way to go. Make sure you sign the affidavit with your full, legal name. After all, sacrificing your integrity over a $75 ticket with no points is definitely worth it. What's the price of intregrity worth nowadays anyway? It's way overrated. I lend my car to "friends" and strangers to drive around as they please all the time. The court will surely understand.

perjury Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> GotTicket5 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'm going to call and say it wasn't me driving.
> If
> > they don't buy it, I'll just pay the $75
> > Sonnabitch
>
>
> Absolutely. Perjury is the way to go. Make sure
> you sign the affidavit with your full, legal name.
> After all, sacrificing your integrity over a $75
> ticket with no points is definitely worth it.
> What's the price of intregrity worth nowadays
> anyway? It's way overrated. I lend my car to
> "friends" and strangers to drive around as they
> please all the time. The court will surely
> understand.


If you could read, I said That i'm going to call the number on the ticket and tell them it wasn't me driving. No evidence it was me other than the car. So, go fuck off with your pro bono bullshit.

If you could get off with that, everyone would just call the number and say that.

pgens Wrote:
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> If you could get off with that, everyone would
> just call the number and say that.
I did that back in '02, and it worked.

=



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2010 01:05PM by inkahootz.

SO YOUR GOIBNG TO SPEND 500 BUCKS FIGHTING A 70 DOLLAR TICKET, DUDE THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I HOPE YOU ARE IN FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS, I WOULD HAPPLIY TRUST YOU WITH MY CASH YO YO YO

mr. ticket Wrote:
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> Back in like '04, I had one of the pics of me
> running a red, I called and said it wasn't me
> driving, and they waved the ticket. Would that
> work now??


Back in 2003 or 2004 my dad was mailed a red-light ticket. It was me driving, but the car was registered to him. He called the court, said it wasn't him driving and they dropped it. He, of course, had to send in a notorized affidavit stating he wasn't driving the car and "didn't know who was". Not sure if that's the same proceedure these days, but I'm sure a lot of people have gotten out of the red light tickets by this means.

I think people shouldn't run red lights, it's dangerous...but the cameras are bull shit...Same with the new speed cameras they're talking about.

gotticket Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> perjury Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > GotTicket5 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I'm going to call and say it wasn't me
> driving.
> > If
> > > they don't buy it, I'll just pay the $75
> > > Sonnabitch
> >
> >
> > Absolutely. Perjury is the way to go. Make
> sure
> > you sign the affidavit with your full, legal
> name.
> > After all, sacrificing your integrity over a
> $75
> > ticket with no points is definitely worth it.
> > What's the price of intregrity worth nowadays
> > anyway? It's way overrated. I lend my car to
> > "friends" and strangers to drive around as they
> > please all the time. The court will surely
> > understand.
>
>
> If you could read, I said That i'm going to call
> the number on the ticket and tell them it wasn't
> me driving. No evidence it was me other than the
> car. So, go fuck off with your pro bono bullshit.


So, then, who was driving the car? Do you simply leave the keys in the car with a "drive me" sticker slapped to the side of it?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/23/2009 07:14AM by ITRADE.

Up2Late Wrote:
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> Just FYI...Red Light camera tickets are owned and
> operated by third party vendors. The "ticket" you
> got wasn't misspelled by an officer in whatever
> jurisdiction you ran the light...it was most
> likely some desk jockey in California that gets
> pictures from all around the country every minute,
> looks at the picture to verify a traffic
> infraction, then mails out the paperwork to you
> and notifies the county.
>


My understanding is that when Fairfax County was running red light cameras the last time, that a police officer at the Woodburn Rd law enforcement complex reviewed every photo before sending out the ticket.

Incidentally, back then, my wife was mailed a camera ticket for running the light at the Parkway & Pope's Head. She never even drives in that area! So, I geared up to fight it. But a few days later, another letter arrived explaining that an error had been made and to disregard the ticket.

So, FCPD gets it right once in a while.

Up2Late Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Back in 2003 or 2004 my dad was mailed a red-light
> ticket. It was me driving, but the car was
> registered to him. He called the court, said it
> wasn't him driving and they dropped it. He, of
> course, had to send in a notorized affidavit
> stating he wasn't driving the car and "didn't know
> who was".

And so your father committed perjury on your behalf. That's the point of the affidavit. Even though he didn't come to court to lie to the judge it's still perjury since your father affirmed on a legal document that "he didn't know who was driving." What a stand-up guy. Most responsible fathers would have made YOU pay for your mistake. Hope it catches up with both of you one day. I was nearly killed by someone who ran a red light about 15 years ago, so I have no sympathy for people who disregard traffic signals.