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seenbutnotheard · Sep 1, 2008, 04:50 PM

I recently got flashed by a ticket camera. I have never gotten a ticket in my life, never even been pulled over for anything. The speed zone was 55, I was driving around 50-55 with two witnesses to confirm this statement as I had cruise control on.

First off what can, might or will happen. Will I get a ticket in the mail, and since Arizona (the place where I got flashed "Prescott Valley") is not my state of residence what will happen there. Will my insurance company find out? Someone told me that the first time offense for a ticket camera is just a warning. Also since I have absolutely no money an no source of income what will happen when I can't pay the ticket if I get one. I also have no time for a job as I am in college, ROTC and several other things.

I would like to fight the ticket but I know it's going to take too much time and money than what it's worth.

So what are my options, what should I do?

Fr_Chuck · Sep 1, 2008, 04:55 PM

Well warning on first ticket, guess it depends on the rule of the local police department that is doing the camera.

So you will either get a warning or a ticket in the mail.

If you don't pay the ticket, it will go onto your record and you can end up getting a warrant for your arrest to go to court and clear the outstanding fine.
And it can stop your entering the military till it is cleared up and will put a "bing" on your record to start since if they find the issue unclear, you will have to go into explaining this issue onto your record.

So you pay it, you slow down some social life and work,

seenbutnotheard · Sep 1, 2008, 05:03 PM

I know it's just a traffic ticket but I would like to keep my record clear. If I really must absolutely pay a ticket I can get someone to help me.

JudyKayTee · Sep 1, 2008, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by seenbutnotheard

I know it's just a traffic ticket but I would like to keep my record clear. If I really must absolutely pay a ticket I can get someone to help me.

I don't see a defense - they have you on camera, speeding - you can argue that the camera wasn't calibrated but I don't know that you'll win.

(Passengers "usually" are very poor judges of speed so I wouldn't count too much on them.)

excon · Sep 1, 2008, 05:24 PM

Hello seen:

A great defense to a camera ticket is that you weren't driving. Without a picture of your face, they can't prove you were. However, in Arizona, they take TWO pictures - one of your face, and one of your license plate. Sometimes the pictures of your face aren't clear and they can't convict you without it. The problem with a defense such as this, is you're going to have to appear in court.

As an aside, I used to own a limousine company in Scottsdale, AZ. The city is rife with red light cameras... So, I carried a Bozo mask under my seat. I knew the intersections where I needed to wear it.

excon

seenbutnotheard · Sep 1, 2008, 05:32 PM

Do I ever get to see the pictures of the camera?

excon · Sep 1, 2008, 05:35 PM

Hello again, seen:

They should send you a copy along with your ticket/warning/whatever.

excon

seenbutnotheard · Sep 1, 2008, 06:57 PM

YA thanks I'm just a little frustrated. I don't like being in trouble with the law and I don't like owing people money.

twinkiedooter · Sep 2, 2008, 04:30 AM

Your insurance company will find out about your speeding, but if this is a first speeding offense and not going too fast, your insurance company should not punish you (financially). If this was a second speeding offense, all bets are off. Just pay the ticket and go on with your life and don't speed.

ScottGem · Sep 2, 2008, 05:51 AM

First, how do you know you got flashed if you haven't recevied the ticket yet? Are you sure you were flashed for speeding? Most cameras are designed to catch people running reds, speeding is much harder to detect on a camera unless it included a radar reading that activated the camera.

So before you do anything you need to determine whether you are being ticketed and for what. If you maintain your innocence you can have the camera tested. But it's a long shot.