Smile! You’re on Red Light Camera
August 13, 2010 by Camden · 13 Comments
While “the cornerstone of American jurisprudence is that the accused is innocent until proven guilty,” many drivers who are ticketed by red-light cameras claim they are not given that Constitutional guarantee. If you choose to fight the ticket, it will be your burden to prove that you did not run the red light – “which is to say that under the existing traffic-camera system, you are considered guilty until you prove yourself innocent.” As a result of this discrepancy, attorneys in Florida and Texas are challenging the practice of photo-enforcement. A Florida law firm “has filed 27 class action lawsuits against Florida municipalities.” (In Orlando, a judge issued a summary judgment against the city, which could result in over $4 million in ticket-revenue being refunded.) In Texas, Houston attorney Paul Kubosh lead a group which “gathered over 30,000 signatures on a petition that would put the cameras up for a vote before the community. “All I want is a vote. Just a vote!” Kubosh said.
Parking a Commercial Vehicle
July 29, 2010 by Camden · 193 Comments
Hello! My daughter was living in a row house and Friday rented a truck to move to another city for graduate school. She got a parking ticket for having a commercial vehicle parked for more than one hour, but the city code says that for personal business for a resident, it is legal to park such a truck.
She is gone, so if I contest this, I will have to go to court, and I have no idea how likely I am to win – I think I have a valid case, but then there are court costs, plus my time and taking a day off work, etc.
Does anyone have experience with Baltimore traffic court and whether or not I should just pay the ticket and be done with it?
What kills me is that it takes two weeks for them to upload info on a parking ticket so I cannot even view it online or pay online, since it must be paid before the two weeks are up – or there are late fees assessed!
Jessamy Backs Interlock Bill
March 2, 2010 by Camden · 5 Comments
Patricia Jessamy, Baltimore State’s Attorney, is supporting a bill which would mandate Ignition Interlocks for all DUI offenders. (Gadgets would require individuals to pass Breathalyzers before starting their cars.) Bill also creates mandatory jail sentences for those caught driving with suspended licenses due to alcohol related crimes. Jessamy has written a letter to the House Judiciary Committee, supporting the bill and recommending amendments be added to it.
A Cap on City Parking Fines
May 20, 2009 by Camden · 5 Comments
City Councilman Bernard “Jack” Young has introduced legislation to cap the maximum late fee on parking fines to five times the amount of the original ticket and that should be great for him com the next election . But, some argue that the $132 million past due fines and penalties might go a long way toward community improvements.
