Virginia Beach Red Light Camera Attorney

Despite the thousands of citations that are issued each year for running red lights, failure to stop at a traffic light remains the most common traffic offense in the nation. Indeed, according to statistics, approximately 22% of all auto accidents are caused by a driver running a red light. The common traffic violation is also responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people, and costs American citizens more than seven billion dollars per year.

Due to such staggering statistics, Virginia and many other states have begun to use red light cameras to catch drivers who fail to stop at a red light. However, this method is far from flawless, and many drivers are incorrectly issued citations. If you were recently cited for running a red light camera, make sure you speak with a Virginia Beach red light camera attorney before you pay your fine.

As the name suggests, a red light camera takes photos of vehicles that cross through an intersection while the light is red. When an automobile passes a certain point in the road, the cameras are automatically triggered to take a photograph of the vehicle’s license plate. After using the license plate number to identify the vehicle’s owner, a citation is mailed—along with the photo—to the address on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Running a red light is not a criminal offense in the state of Virginia, and the violation will not add any points to your driving record. With only a $50 fine, the penalties for running a red light in Virginia certainly seem light. The problems arise, however, if you are incorrectly identified or unaware that the citation was issued.

It is not uncommon for a red light camera citation to be issued to the wrong person. Because the camera photographs the vehicle’s license plate, rather than its actual driver, the owner automatically receives the citation. If someone else was driving your car, however, you should not be responsible for paying the fee.

In Virginia, all red light camera citations are sent via first-class mail, offering no tracking services or confirmation of delivery. Since drivers are only notified of their citation when they receive it in the mail, there is no way for them to pay their fine if the citation is not successfully delivered. Despite this fact, if the citation is not paid by the specified deadline, the court simply assumes the driver failed to pay his or her fine, and may therefore issue an arrest warrant.

If you have concerns about a red light camera citation, contact attorney Michael C. Tillotson today. Whether you were incorrectly identified as the driver who committed the offense, or your failure to receive a red light camera citation has led to a warrant for your arrest, Mr. Tillotson can provide the aggressive legal representation you need. Protect your rights, and contact Michael C. Tillotson today for a free consultation.