More Red-Light Camera Cases Dismissed

One day after nearly 300 red-light camera tickets were dismissed, eight more cases came before a traffic court judge, without a single conviction, 10News reported.

Of the eight cases in front of Commissioner Jerome Varon, one case was continued and the others were either dismissed or the defendants were found not guilty.

Varon paid close attention to the ruling by Superior Court Judge Ronald Styn that several hundred red-light camera tickets should be dismissed because the system was unreliable.

Styn ruled Tuesday that the partnership between the city and the former owner of the cameras, Lockheed Martin, resulted in a system that was "untrustworthy" and that the photos were therefore inadmissible as evidence in court.

Several hundred red-light camera cases are still outstanding. Varon declared that the city attorney has the right to prosecute outstanding cases, and he will review each one on its merits, but he has doubts about reliability of the evidence.

Those people who have already paid red-light camera tickets will be given the opportunity to join a class-action lawsuit filed last week. They should receive a letter in the mail giving them the option to join the suit.

"If that class-action succeeds, everybody's going to get their money back," attorney Christopher Plourd said. "If it succeeds in proving the RICO violations, they'll get three times their money back as a statutory penalty to the city and Lockheed Martin."

The city has set up a red-light camera hotline. Anyone with questions about the tickets can call (619) 533-5604.

Previous Stories:

• September 4, 2001: Judge: Red-Light Cameras Unreliable
• August 31, 2001: Red-Light Class-Action Lawsuit Filed
• August 21, 2001: Red-Light Camera Defense Files Motion
• August 16, 2001: Judge Rules In Favor Of Red-Light Cameras
• July 31, 2001: Red-Light Controversy Heads To Washington
• July 19, 2001: Arguments Conclude In Traffic Camera Case
• July 11, 2001: Battle Continues Over Red-Light Cameras
• June 26, 2001: Study: Traffic Cameras Operate To Make Money
• June 14, 2001: Red Light Cameras Turned Off
• June 12, 2001: San Diegans Sue Maker Of Traffic Cameras
• June 5, 2001: Allegations Against Red Light Cameras Mount
• May 30, 2001: Four Red Light Cameras May Be Inaccurate