Friday, March 20, 2009

Judge weighs in on photo radar

Judge Gerald Williams has an excellent article on photo speed cameras in Foothills Focus. And let's not forget the courageous Justice of the Peace who is throwing out all speed camera tickets, or County Attorney Andrew Thomas who is throwing out all criminal speed camera tickets.

Some excerpts from Williams' article -

Reasonable people can differ on whether the photo radar statute is constitutional. However, what is not debatable is the very clear sanction language of A.R.S. § 41-1722(B). The fine for a violation of this statute is $181.50. It does not matter whether the defendant was going eleven miles per hour over the speed limit or one-hundred. The fine for other perhaps more creative photo radar charges (e.g. driving while suspended, expired registration) is also $181.50. The statute does not authorize anything else and trumps everything else.

Please keep in mind that neither the courts nor Maricopa County get that money. The photo radar statutes require justice courts to be an involuntary collection agent for the State of Arizona and for the so-called Clean Elections Fund, which gives money to the political campaigns of politicians running for legislative and for statewide offices.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you don't like these red light cameras you should look into getting one of those gps red light camera detectors.

Tony GOPrano said...

You are just pissed cause YOU got busted on Photo Radar...HA HA!

Unknown said...

I feel a bit cynical at times but when I see all the lobbying and 'help' the companies behind the photo radar devices are providing legislators, it's hard not to. Not to mention the shear amount of money they are making off of the Arizona Citizens! Do they really have an incentive to remain fair, or is their true motivations to line their own pockets, while provide safety data to help the cash strapped cities and state justify getting some $$$ as well?

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