Chicago PD and red light camera violations

[DRaSTiK]

Hey guys, new to the board. Just droppin in to ask a few quick q's.

First off, I received a violation in the mail saying I ran a red light at Narragansett and Irving, and the camera took the requisite pics. It was a "No turn on red between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m." intersection (it was 6:45 or so), and I *thought* I came to a complete stop before turning, but I guess not. I honestly don't think it would be worth fighting.

Now, if I pay for the violation, will it be off my record? Or do I have the option of going to traffic school, or something like it? Or should I just bite and pay the damn thing?

Thanks for any info guys. This is a very informative board.

[Ranger__101]

You always have the option of having an appearance regarding your citation.

If you pay it, it will still be on your record. Just as an FYI, turning on the red light got you the ticket. Like you said it was no turn on red between 7 am and 7 pm. From you post I'm guessing you got the ticket at 6:45 PM.

Now if you got it at 6:45 Am you would have a valid reason to fight the ticket and it very well could have been that the system was not configured propertly for "right turn on red".

[DRaSTiK]

Sorry, it was at 6:45 a.m. The info w/ the pics said I was doing 16 mph. At a red light???? I slowed approaching the intersection, stopped (might have rolled it :confused, saw the other traffic still had a red (westbound had the left turn signal), and went. I saw the flash too.

Should I contest this? Would it be worth the time and/or money?

[SeVere]

Sorry, it was at 6:45 a.m. The info w/ the pics said I was doing 16 mph. At a red light???? I slowed approaching the intersection, stopped (might have rolled it :confused, saw the other traffic still had a red (westbound had the left turn signal), and went. I saw the flash too.

Should I contest this? Would it be worth the time and/or money?

The thing you need to understand about these citations is that they are not personal issue citations. They are not directed at YOU as the driver of the vehicle, they are against the vehicle itself like a parking ticket. There is no traffic school or driver's license penalties for receiving such a citation.

That being said, that violation is what they call a prima facie case. That being said, it means that the violation is assumed to have occurred unless you can provide overwhelming evidence otherwise.

The definition of Prima Facie:

Prima Facie
Latin for "At first sight." A prima facie case presents enough evidence for the plaintiff to win the case barring any defenses or additional evidence presented by the defendant.

In other words, why bother. The hearing is in front of an administrative hearing officer and not a judge.

[SeVere]

The registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for the citation regardless of who was driving the vehicle.

The entire process is handled administratively by the city and is not conducted in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

[DRaSTiK]

So I should just pay the $90 dollars? I have the option to contest, but you're saying I shouldn't? It's obviously me against the camera, so it doesn't look too good. Will the "running a red light" show up on my driving record as a moving violation, say, if an officer runs my plates?

Thanks for all the help.

[SeVere]

So I should just pay the $90 dollars? I have the option to contest, but you're saying I shouldn't? It's obviously me against the camera, so it doesn't look too good. Will the "running a red light" show up on my driving record as a moving violation, say, if an officer runs my plates?

Thanks for all the help.

You can request a hearing if you like, but be aware that the case is considered prima facie which a lot of the time means guilty unless you prove otherwise.

The red light violation will not show up on your record at all because like I had said it is an administrative violation against the registered vehicle owner and not the individual driving.

Consider it a parking ticket with a $90.00 fee.

[DRaSTiK]

Cool. Like I said man, it's me against the camera, and I can't do much to disprove physical evidence. Thanks again for the info. Might as well pay it :(