Ticket in the mail for running red light

Just moved to Kingsport TN, and the first mail I receive is a ticket for running a red light. Apparently they have installed cameras at intersections around town. I can't dispute the pictures, however I question whether I was the driver, since I don't recall running a red light. Another family member drives the car, but I am reluctant to point the finger, as you can imagine.

My dilemma is what to do. If I pay the ticket, it goes on my driving record and my insurance goes up for three years. If I ask for a hearing, I don't know what to plead and I'm scared it will turn out worse than just paying the ticket.

I don't know anything about plea bargains. Can I plead "no contest" without admission of guilt, pay the court costs and keep it off my record? Or maybe ask for probation?

I would appreciate some advice. There are NO attorneys in this area that specialize in traffic violations. THANKS!

You either have to pay or convince and prove who else was driving that day!

I don't know what TN requires, but in AZ I believe the notification shows three things:
a. License plate
b. Traffic light indication
c. Driver's face

If the driver's face cannot be seen, the registered owner gets the ticket. As the previous poster states, you pay or you finger the person who was driving the car at the time. Then they must admit their guilt.

There is a loophole to this entire situation. I live in Lafayette, LA and Redflex, an Australian company, has these white speed vans located at different parts of the city that photographs vehicles that go as little as 4 MPH over the posted limit. There are about 6 lawsuits in the works from various citizens here, and I am one of them. I have a law firm working on this as we speak, and they seem extremely confident that this is nothing more than a revenue-generator for the city (See, Redflex and the city split the proceeds from the speeding tickets between the two....but the city council determines where the funds go. NOT to the Police or FD, but to bogus, BS private projects!!)!

Thank God I have Pre-Paid Legal b/c now I have the best firm in the STATE on my side and I haven't paid a single cent. My case has been in 2 depositions and is in a 3rd Discovery phase!! I love it!

So, I say all that to say that these camera and van systems are in place to scare people into paying $$ to whatever. Just know that YOU DON'T have to! This is an imperfect system FULL of loopholes and stipulations! Get a good attorney and have your day in court!!

FIGHT IT!

Mike Gaudet

What is your defense in that case?

I don't know about TN but in LA the ticket is a civil matter. Not a criminal charge so despite it being midemeanor offense it can't be put on your insurance or driving record. I got tagged not 2 weeks ago for going 3 over. It's a good idea but a bit ridiculous. If the project does go on it needs to be monitored by a judicial member. If whomever can't write a citation on the street shouldn't be able to write a citation from a computer screen. More importantly australia!

[Law200]

See also http://www.worldlawdirect.com/articl...ng_ticket.html for some ideas.