Photo Radar Tickets (Phoenix, Tucson, Pima: lawyer, school, cost) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

a3hernan · 10-28-2010, 11:45 PM

I received a radar ticket in Pima County for going 11 over and I want to know if I have to pay it. It was my understanding that the photo radar contracts have been cancelled as of July 1st and I received my ticket in October. Any information I can get in how to approach this ticket would be greatly appreciated.

Regards, Al

sierraAZ · 10-29-2010, 10:08 AM

I'd ignore it.

observer53 · 10-29-2010, 10:15 AM

If you got it in October, you may have tripped a camera NOT operated by the state contract. Those are the only ones that are gone. Regardless of the jurisdiction, you can ignore it if you choose, but what people here will tell you is, don't answer your door to anyone you don't know for 90 days after your court date. If you got it from a jurisdiction that allows alternative service (and there may be none of those in Pima County) you can be served by leaving it on your doorstep.

And, be more careful in the future. Just because the cameras are gone from some areas doesn't mean that speeding isn't against the law.

Bummer · 10-29-2010, 11:03 AM

Definitely NOT worth the risk, a3hernan.

As already addressed, not all cameras have been scrubbed. In fact, the City of Tucson is adding Red Light Cameras at a number of intersections and the existing Speed Cameras are up and running.

Good Luck

keninaz · 10-30-2010, 10:37 AM

I don't know about now, but I know a guy that ignored his ticket and moved to NM. When his license came up for renewal they would not renew there as the ticket showed.
The original ticket was for just over $100 and he said it cost him over $400 to pay it and get his license renewed.
If you can take the online traffic school and be done with it.
As far as the contracts go, you may have been cited within the city limits of a town and those are not under contract with the state so you are stuck.

sierraAZ · 10-30-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keninaz

I don't know about now, but I know a guy that ignored his ticket and moved to NM. When his license came up for renewal they would not renew there as the ticket showed.

Really? I haven't dealt with it myself, but based on what I've read on the Phoenix forum people were ignoring them left and right without any consequences.

Bummer · 10-30-2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Really? I haven't dealt with it myself, but based on what I've read on the Phoenix forum people were ignoring them left and right without any consequences.

I agree, Sierra . . . lots of "ignore advice" on the Phoenix forum.

They are either full of BS or the rules are totally different there because a neighbor of mine ignored a few tickets and then was stopped about a year later for a simple vehicle issue and he was hauled off to the slammer plus his vehicle was impounded . . . DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE.

I know this first hand because I drove him down to the impound lot to retrieve his vehicle after he paid the tickets plus the towing, storage and impound fees.

Once again . . . NOT WORTH THE RISK.

Nate4635 · 10-31-2010, 01:38 PM

To chime in - I'm of the ignore group, and my experience has been (as is the law), if you are not served personally, then there is no 'ticket'.

You sending in anything acknowledges you received the ticket - which is enough for them to prove you got it. If you dont send in anything....there is no telling if you got the ticket. You may get follow up "stern" looking letters threatening whatever, but its not enforceable without some type of proof you received these letters.

Bummer - did your friend respond to these tickets prior to suspending his license? Did he get a notification that his license was suspended? I think a lawyer would have a hayday with that case if both answers are no.

But.....here is a way you can check for yourself - go to Public Access Case Lookup look yourself up, and see what your case status is. I believe its 120 days before the notice is invalid. I looked my name up, periodically and right at that mark, my status went to "Dismissed".

YMMV, but understand the law.

iflyjetzzz · 10-31-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate4635

To chime in - I'm of the ignore group, and my experience has been (as is the law), if you are not served personally, then there is no 'ticket'.

You sending in anything acknowledges you received the ticket - which is enough for them to prove you got it. If you dont send in anything....there is no telling if you got the ticket. You may get follow up "stern" looking letters threatening whatever, but its not enforceable without some type of proof you received these letters.

Bummer - did your friend respond to these tickets prior to suspending his license? Did he get a notification that his license was suspended? I think a lawyer would have a hayday with that case if both answers are no.

But.....here is a way you can check for yourself - go to Public Access Case Lookup look yourself up, and see what your case status is. I believe its 120 days before the notice is invalid. I looked my name up, periodically and right at that mark, my status went to "Dismissed".

YMMV, but understand the law.

That's also my understanding. Do you have any references under Arizona law?

iflyjetzzz · 10-31-2010, 03:05 PM

I just found this reference: Arizona Speeding Ticket

Excerpt:
Court of Appeals of Arizona, Division One, Department C 171 Ariz. 449; 831 P.2d 448; 1992 Ariz. App. May 12, 1992 The appellant's recourse when a defendant fails to execute the acknowledgement of receipt is to continue the hearing and serve the complaint by some other authorized method. See Ariz.R.Civ.P. 4.1(c)(3). Until the magistrate's court obtains personal jurisdiction, it has no power to enter an order of civil sanction against a defendant.
The problem is that Arizona traffic courts are ignoring this court decision and will suspend your license if you fail to acknowledge the summons. One way is to retain an Arizona traffic attorney to have the speeding ticket dismissed for lack of service. The court can then attempt personal service.

Please note the text that I bolded.