Speeding Camera Ticket in Gretna (New Orleans, Metairie: insurance, how much, lawyer)

[emochu]

I've just moved down here(military) and received a $120 ticket by mail for going 45mph on 35mph, belle chasse hwy in Gretna.

Need some advice from locals. Is it worth fighting this ticket? Anyone have any success fighting this? Paying $120 for going 10 miles over seems a little excessive...

Any advice would help! Thank you!

[mhounit]

I think the system is configured so that fighting it is pretty much useless . Besides , you WERE speeding , right ? $120 bucks is excessive . I got one in Baker that cost me half of that .

[emochu]

Yeah, thats pretty much what everyone here at works been telling me. They are advising me to pay the traffic lawyer here for $100 rather than to pay the ticket. I dont know how they can just magically make this disappear though.

[NeedDueProcess]

I got my ticket on Belle Chasse Hwy. In front of Mel Ott Park at Nighttime. 45 in 35. I was not doing that speed. Things to know> 1. Request a hearing and you get a retired Gretna police officer that asks 1 question-Was anyone around you? He then shows you the same video you see at Photo Notice.com, and tells you that the camera is calibrated every 2 hours. If noone is around you he fills out a form that states you are guilty and the fine is $150. If you ask questions about due process and trials or calibration docs you are escorted out. 2. Civil trials are not offered. You must get your own lawyer and file papers yourself to be heard by a judge although Sec.90-508 of Gretna's Code of Ordinances states you can file a petition for judicial review. I hit wall after wall trying to do this. Pro Bono attorneys said they can't win so take no cases. I have many questions about the placement angle and accuracy of the camera, yet I can't face my accuser without jumping thru flaming hoops. 3. Your ticket is reviewed by a retired clerk of court that only checks for other cars and visiblity of plates. She knows nothing about speeds or how equipment works. Gretna has set it up as a civil violation so they don't have to give you a trial. These tickets do not affect insurance or go on your driving record. They want the money and if you don't pay Redflex Camera systems, Gretna may put you in a collection agency to get their extortion money. I can't find any info yet about Gretna's contract or statistics about the camera. Information does not seem to be transparent and when you call Gretna officials, they admit to knowing nothing and you are directed in a circle to different departments. Jefferson parish takes no responsibility for Gretna. As of the Gretna City Council meeting 10/9/13, the 5 year renewal for these cameras was put up for consideration. I encourage everyone to not speed at all and deny Gretna this unfair revenue. Also, I was told that the cameras are triggered at 7 miles over the limit. That means my supposed ticket fine was $40 per mile over the limit with a $30 penalty for asking for the bogus hearing. mod cut

[Robin Leake]

THe lack of transparency is a problem. Since we have government of the people by the people, the people have a right to know what the government is doing. The fact that you will hit a brick wall trying to get a municipality like Gretna, LA to be open about what it is doing is a sure sign that they are hiding something. Once these money mills are established, government corruption is inevitable.
To whit, I would like to know how much revenue is generated by these cameras - specifically the one that resulted in my ticket. Also, where is the money going? I would also like to know how many times the ticket is not paid for any reason, and the percentage of those that result in additional pursuit of the money. Unfortunately, this is the trend of the future, where elected officials turn to traffic cameras to raise revenue instead of traditional methods like property taxes.

[Speleothem]

I got one from Gretna; speeding on the Westbank Expressway.
Wasn't even my vehicle.

[Teezy W]

I got a ticket for doing 29 in what I thought was a 30. Turned out on the opposite side of the street was a school zone sign. I had to go back to find the sign on the right side of a 2 lane street on a corner. The speed limit sign was on my drivers side. This is a money game. Going to court tomorrow to pay 120 fine.

[Fedup Driver]

PLEASE sign the petition and write to the Gretna council. Let them know you do not support their decision to reinstate the cameras.
(copy and paste between the http://)<br /> <a href="http://petit...yer Paul Massa) and basically explains that in Gretna, they have worked out all of the loop-holes, except of course, if your car was actually reported stolen. It is futile to fight the ticket itself, but you can sign the petition and write to stop the usage of the cameras.
ADDRESS: Gretna City Council, 2 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, LA 70053

Louisiana State Senator Danny Martiny has previously worked to address the reliance of cities and parishes on the revenue traffic cameras generate and State Representative Jeff Arnold has worked to require a public vote for the cameras to be used. Please write to them to tell them not to stop in their efforts or at the very least, ask them to use the funding for much needed roadway improvements instead of to fill the Gretna PD coffers.
ADDRESS: State Representative Jeff Arnold, 3520 General DeGaulle, Suite 3071, New Orleans, LA 70114
ADDRESS: Senator Danny Martiny, 131 Airline Highway, Suite 201, Louisiana State Senate, Metairie, LA 70001
See the National Motorists Association facts and objections to speed cameras and red-light cameras:
http://www.motorists.org/speed-camer...ons]Objections To Speed Cameras
http://www.motorists.org/red-light-c...ons]Objections To Red Light Cameras

[DJ1959]

how much is it for going 53 in a 35 and can i just send them a picture of the check ?

[No_1_U_Know]

I got one recently too. I don't live in Gretna and don't plan to. What if I don't pay?