June 4, 2011 Red Light Cameras Unconstitutional?

Many questions have been raised about the constitutionality of red light cameras.

Fort Lauderdale (Florida) Judge Fred Berman has cited constitutional issues in his recent ruling that police can no longer issue red light tickets as long as cameras are operating.

Berman's ruling maintains that it is not fair that red light runners caught by police face a stiff fine and points on their license, compared to those nabbed by the cameras, who face a smaller fine and no points.

"This violates the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution, as well as the Florida Constitution," the judge wrote.

Click here for the video news report.

According to a Fort Lauderdale attorney with the "Ticket Clinic," red light tickets issued by police will be challenged in Fort Lauderdale and perhaps beyond with citation to Judge Berman's opinion.

The Florida attorney general will become involved: "In our view, Judge Berman did not apply the appropriate standard of review. From here, we will be weighing all of our options to challenge his ruling, including an appeal to the Circuit Court."

Click here for the Florida story and links to previous reports by the Florida news channel.

Thanks to Michael Silence who reports on the story here with comments from Knoxville PD department spokesman Darrell DeBusk and to Taxing Tennessee which has the story and a link to Silence's post.