State Amendment Adds More Time to Appeal Red Light Tickets
By Space Coast Daily // May 14, 2013
Counties & Cities to Be Given Control of Appeals Process
ABOVE VIDEO: A father and son from Palm Bay appeal a red light traffic ticket and win the hearing. Red light cameras have been a controversial addition to many Florida cities and counties. A new state amendment provides drivers with 60 days to file an appeal, compared to 30 days. The amendment is effective July 1, 2013.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Effective July 1, drivers will be granted 60 days to file an appeal against citations issued by red light traffic cameras. Currently, drivers are provided with 30 days to appeal a red light camera-issued traffic citation.
Once the new law goes into effect, counties and cities will create an appeals process for ed light traffic citations. The citations will be state-issued, with a minimum $264 fine if the violator loses the appeal. The new law will provide more leniency to drivers making right turns on red lights. If they fail to make a complete stop before the turn, they will receive a citation, but they won’t receive a citation for failing to stop before the white line.
The bill’s sponsor, State Senator Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, told Tampa Business Journal:
“The appeals process allows for cities to recover up to $250 in addition to the $158 fine. The sponsor of the bill, state Sen. Jeff Brandes, believes cities will only spend about $25 to $100 per person during the appeals process.”
Delinquent payments on citations will be met with a stiff penalty, as drivers with overdue fines would not be able to renew their vehicle registrations. Do you support red light traffic cameras, or do you believe they’re unconstitutional? Vote in our poll below.
