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Same thing happened to my friend although he just paid it.
Before I start, I think its bull . I am even going to provide you with video footage courtesy of www.violationinfo.com . Regardless of what happens, It will not show up on my record and its only $75.00 but Im thinking about fighting it. Im just curious what you guys think.
OK, so everyone that lives in San Antonio KNOWS that in Balcones Heights (just as evil, if not worse, as Leon Valley) the cops are ing sucking assholes ( you if you work for them). Anyway, I didnt get pulled over by a cop. Balcones has those bull traffic cameras.
let me set the scenario.
So I recieved a letter in the mail today with a picture of my car making a right turn off of Fredricksburg and Hillcrest on 4/16/2009. The time is stamped as 12:38am. Im charged with basically what ammounts to running a red light.
As you will see from the video, I was making a right turn while cross traffic was moving. I was coming up to the corner of Fredricksburg and Hillcrest while Hillcrest had the gree light. Mind you there is a "no turn-around" sign for that traffic so I was safe. Nevermind the fact that where I was preparing to turn right on Hillcrest there is no sign that says "no turn on red".
The video clearly shows me slow down, though I do not make a complete stop, to make sure there is no oncoming traffic into the lane I turn into. It also clearly shows that the Hillcrest traffic is turning left (as Im turning right at the intersection) making it impossible for me to cause any kind of accident.
Anyway, I'll let you be the judge of me. I'm being serious here and would like an honest answer from those of you that post. Should I pay the fine and be done with it or should I request a hearing?
ing cops.
Last edited by phyzik; 05-19-2009 at 10:46 AM.
Same thing happened to my friend although he just paid it.
i would fight it. i hate it when i get wrongly get accused of something and i will fight it even though i may lose just to get my point across. even if i have to pay, as long as i end up making the other side look stupid is cool enough.
Convenience fee will be added
Fight that bro. What better proof do you need? You clearly did not break the law here.
Those are my thoughts as well E20. I Really want those ing camera's taken down just because people ignorantly pay the fine without trying to fight it. They are exploiting people with that . Most people dont realize if they fight it, video is usually not submissable in court unless the judge deems otherwise. Video is a deterent and thats it, And I CLEARLY (at least in my mind) didnt do ANYTHING wrong.
I worked in an industry for 3 years KNOWING people stole (I saw them on camera) but yet the law would deny video because it wasnt witnessed by a person.
Im laying it all on the line here showing people what I supposedly "did wrong" and I honestly think I did nothing wrong in this instance.
$75.00 isnt going to hurt me in the LEAST in the grand scheme of things but this bull pisses me off and I REALLY want to prove a point to those Balcones mother ers.
Last edited by phyzik; 05-19-2009 at 02:05 AM.
BTW, thats my G8 GT
They could have certainly caught me doing some worse than that in that ing car
If you had made a complete stop you would have an argument. But the fact that you just slowed down before you turned is bad, you will lose. Since the light was red, as with a stop sign, you need to make a complete stop.
Pay dude.
Honestly, Im thinking of going this route just to avoid the hassle, except for the fact that in most courts video is not submissible in court unless the judge deems otherwise. I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT!
Thats where they get nieve people with these video's. Its scare tactics. Its a deterent. I have had irrefutable evidence on video of someone stealing something and the cops didnt do because they know video is not submissible unless the judge allows it. $75.00 isn't to me, its the principal of the thing, I was endangering NO ONE.
Last edited by phyzik; 05-19-2009 at 02:30 AM.
I'm not familiar with what is submissible or not, if you know for a fact then fight it. But if the judge will allow it, then you will lose.
This is what comes in to question alot, especially in my case.
The camera is designed to photograph any movement that happens with a vehicle at a red light. Thats when its active. It doesnt care if your making a right turn or moving through a light, or pulling into the Jims at that same intersection that I was filmed at. thats why its not admissible.
there is no testemony because only the camera was there. Its a machine. It doesnt understand whats actually happening at the time. all it does is take a picture. It cant testify. It cant be proved that it was or was NOT working at the time. Even if there is a chance I would lose, they arent going to waste the time on it for so little a fine. It would cost them even more money to prove it than they would gain from my measly $75.00A. PARTS OF PREDICATE CAN BE INFERRED
Roy v. State, 608 S.W.2d 645 (Tex.Crim.App. [panel op.] 1980).
Sims v. State, 735 S.W.2d 913 (Tex.App.—Dallas 1987, pet. ref’d).
That machine was operating properly can be inferred from evidence and testimony supporting predicate can come from non-operator.
Look, Cameras are good on intersections, it helps capture what happens in an accident or actually catch someone running a red light, But when they are used to trap people for making a completely safe turn, then it becomes a problem.
Have you even been in Balcones heights or Leon Valley? Do you know that the rumor of police "quota's" comes from those precincts? They pull people over for money. Not because they are criminals or are breaking the law. They literally pull you over for doing 37 in a 35 and treat you like an outright criminal for it. Handcuffs and all.
I DO appreciate your input though, I actually may just pay it just to be done with it and not drag it on, but I'm really pissed off right now and I want to do something to fight the man, if you know what I mean.
Last edited by phyzik; 05-19-2009 at 02:56 AM.
It's a ty ticket but you DID fail to stop at a red light before turning. You did SOMETHING wrong even it is a minor infraction...you should just pay it and be done with it.
I think you should fight it. You did nothing wrong here. Why pay something like this then? Good luck, whatever you decide to do!
Whether you fight it or not is your decision.
I'm concerned about all those who say you did nothing wrong. They need to brush up on traffic laws.
Right turn on red (where allowed) is legal ONLY after a FULL STOP. If you didn't stop, then you DID do something wrong.
That. Anything else is a massive rationalization.
Also, that.
My thoughts exactly!
What do you think you'd be fighting anyway? The fact that you ran a red light?
Well if you do decide to pay the fine be sure to check your state laws because here in Maryland those red light cameras now carry points. Two years ago they didn't. I believe a red light violation is 2 points.
just tell the judge that you wanted to keep texas moving
http://www.keeptexasmoving.com/ so you thought you were doing your texas duty as a texan
Busted!
+1
Principle or not, you're fighting a losing battle. Unless you happen to get the good judge on the good day, then they have substantial evidence to cite you for not stopping completely if they really wanted to. It sucks, but it's the law, and people have gotten tickets for less.
Not to mention the hours that would be spent in the courtroom, since you typically would have to show up at your court date, then wait for them to clear out all of the non-guiltys / no contends, THEN plead your case, then wait for a decision. And if you lose, then you are stuck footing the entire bill without any other options.
It sucks, but paying the ticket may be the lesser of the two evils here.
You're hosed. Pay it.
Agree with the latter half of the replies. It's a ridiculous law to enforce, but it IS a law, and they do have proof that you technically broke it. All you have is the 'but everyone else does it' defense. Just pay it. Avoid the hassle - because you'll just be out time AND money if you fight it, as opposed to just money.
Just pay it, you didn't even pause, much less stop.
And, you just let quite a few people have your license plate number (including whatever local cops do come across this site), which means you just gave them access to your personal information.
It's not even close to the line in Clueless where Cher says 'I totally paused!"
I'm sorry, but I didn't even see a clear yield in the video. I think you'll spend more time fighting it then you will just paying the ticket. But, it is up to you.
That damn site isn't even Mac friendly.
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