Columbia Speed Camera Tickets

One of the most common ways to now receive a speeding citation is through speed camera tickets. A frequent traffic offense, speed camera tickets can be paid either online, or by mail. Often, these tickets do not carry any further penalties beyond a small fine, meaning no points are given to the accused individual’s license. If chosen to be, speed camera tickets can be contested in court and may lead to a reduction in fines or dismissal of the citation altogether.

Issuing of Speeding Tickets

The most common way that speeding tickets are issued is with speed cameras.  During the first 30 days after the camera is activated, motorists who are exceeding the speed limit by at least 12 miles per hour receive a warning rather than a citation. However, after a speed camera has been in place for 30 days, the citations are issued to vehicles that are traveling at least 12 miles per hour over the speed limit. Tickets issued via speeding cameras are received through the mail, carry a $40 fine, and can be paid online, in person, or by mail.

No points are assigned to an individual’s license because these are civil violations. Vehicle insurance providers are not notified of these citations. If an individual decides that they want to contest this ticket, they may do so in the Howard Country District Court. The violation notice will include instructions for appealing the ticket. For instance, if an individual wants to contest the ticket because they were not driving the vehicle when the violation occurred, they will need to provide an affidavit stating this within 30 days on receiving the citation in the mail. If an individual decides to contest their ticket in court, a photograph of the violation will be presented to them.

The person contesting will then have the opportunity to present to the court any information that they believe can challenge or mitigate this violation, just as one would for a speeding ticket that was issued by a police officer. After reviewing all of the evidence, the court will make a decision. However, if the individual fails to respond to the speed camera ticket, they may be subject to additional fees and penalties.

Showing up to Court

For minor traffic violations, such as a speed camera ticket, a person can pay the fine that is preset on the ticket without having to appear at the scheduled court date in front of a judge. For the purpose of their driving record, paying the ticket has the same consequence as pleading guilty or being found guilty. However, if someone believes that they are not guilty of the offense, the only way to challenge the ticket is to go to court. Even if the person does not have a defense to the ticket, there is still a possibility that the ticket could be dismissed if the officer or witnesses do not show up on the scheduled court date.

If a person is guilty but has an explanation that they think may help mitigate the violation, they can go to court and explain their version of the events. The judge may reduce the fine or amend the charges so that they give fewer points or have the points waived completely. The person will also have the opportunity to possibly be granted probation before judgment so that they receive no points.