NYC Red Light Camera Ticket Lawyers

Red light cameras are strategically positioned at intersections throughout the New York City area. While they can deter drivers from running red lights, they also capture images of drivers who do run red lights. The responsible government agency then contacts you with the notification that you are being ticketed for a red light violation. Many drivers who receive this type of ticket believe that they have no reasonable defense against the charges, and they may simply accept the penalty that is associated with it. However, some drivers need or want to fight the ticket. Others may have not even been driving their vehicle at the time, and they are being wrongfully ticketed simply because they are the owner of the vehicle. While you could fight the charge in the courtroom through your own legal representation, you may enjoy a better outcome if you hire a New York City lawyer who has considerable experience with red light camera tickets. With a closer look at the possibility of fighting the charges, you will see why now may be the right time to reach out to a lawyer with this type of experience.

Before you take the time and effort to locate a skilled red light camera ticket lawyer in the New York City area, it is important to understand what may happen to you if do not fight the ticket. Keep in mind that this type of violation will place three additional points on your license. With six or more points against your license within 18 months, you will be required to pay a fee for a driving assessment. This fee is in addition to the fee associated with the punishment for the red light camera ticket. With 18 points against your license within this same period of time, your license may be suspended. This means that you will not legally be able to drive until the license can be reinstated, and there is a fee associated with this as well. Auto insurance companies also review your driving history, and a red light ticket can affect the cost of your insurance or even your ability to obtain coverage in some cases. As you can see, it may be in your best interest to fight the charges so that you can avoid paying various fines and dealing with the possible loss of your license. Keep in mind that even if you do not have points against your license at this time, there is a possibility that these three points added to your record now may contribute to fees or the loss of a license within the next 18 months.

The primary defense strategy that a red light camera ticket attorney may use is the defense that you were not actually driving the vehicle. The prosecutor must present irrefutable evidence that you were actually driving the vehicle in order for the charges to remain and for you to be convicted. If the camera had poor focus at the time or if the angle was otherwise off-center, there is a chance that your facial features may not be identifiable. Keep in mind that any conversations that you have with the government agencies leading up to your appearance in court may be recorded and used against you. Because of this, you should never say that you were driving the car or even indirectly acknowledge that you were driving. Always state that you were not the driver of the vehicle.

This is only one of several defense strategies that a red light camera ticket attorney could use to help you win your case. In some cases, the attorney may even be able to refute the charges against you before the case reaches the courtroom. When charges are dropped, you may be able to move on with your life without any negative effects and without having to take time to appear in court.

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Legal Scenario: What Would You Do?

Scenario

You received a red light camera ticket in the mail showing your car entering an intersection on Queens Boulevard, but you weren't the one driving that day — your spouse had borrowed the vehicle. Now you're facing a $50 fine plus a $25 surcharge, and you're worried about points on your license and increased insurance rates.

Can I fight a red light camera ticket if I wasn't the driver, and will this violation add points to my license?

Attorney's Answer

Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1111-a, red light camera violations are treated as non-moving violations issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, similar to a parking ticket — meaning they do not add points to your driving record and should not affect your insurance rates. You have the right to contest the ticket by requesting a hearing at the NYC Department of Finance, where you can present evidence such as an affidavit from the actual driver or proof that the vehicle was not in your possession. Additionally, the city must prove the camera was properly calibrated and that signage warning of the red light camera was posted at the intersection, as required by law. An experienced traffic attorney can review the camera footage and intersection records to identify procedural or technical defenses that could result in a full dismissal.

This is general information only. Contact us for advice specific to your situation.

While there are many lawyers in the New York City area who specialize in motor vehicle and driving charges, some lawyers specifically specialize in red light camera cases. These are lawyers who understand all effective defense strategies and how to implement them. As you prepare to dispute the charges against you, hire the most experienced attorney to represent you.