Missouri Supreme Court Strikes Down Red Light Cameras
Missouri Supreme Court strikes down the red light camera program run by city of Springfield.
The supreme court of Missouri sent photo enforcement companies scrambling on Monday after it declared the red light camera administrative hearing process in the city of Springfield to be void. The high court moved with unusual speed, handing down a strongly worded, unanimous decision about one month after hearing oral arguments in the case.
"This is a $100 case," Judge Michael A. Wolff wrote for the court. "But sometimes, it’s not the money — it’s the principle."
At first glance, the court’s decision appeared to be limited to a technical legal issue regarding Springfield’s authority to adjudicate a photo ticket against motorist Adolph Belt in an administrative hearing. The court indicated that this was plainly not permitted under state law. Section 479.010 of the Missouri Code requires ordinance violations of this type to be heard in a circuit or municipal court. Springfield had argued that its administrative hearing officer was the first and last word on all judgments, with no appellate courts — not even the supreme court itself — having any jurisdiction over the matter.
A closer look at the ruling shows that the high court judges expressed a dim view toward the legal arguments often cited by municipalities to justify their red light cameras programs. For example, the court made it clear that no city had any authority to treat red light violations in the same manner as a parking ticket.
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thank God for the Missouri Supreme Court and their wisdom. this red light photo system is a tool that victimizes the American public and discriminate against heavy commercial vehicles. I was sent a citation in the mail recently. this is my first intersection non-violation, violation since operating a commercial vehicle(beginning in may of 1975). this system of photo red light program, to my knowledge does not instantly calculate stopping distance necessary according to a vehicles weight. my vehicle weighing 57,297lb would need 85.33yd to stop the vehicle on level ground.which brings another point to view, the % of the road grade should also be factored into the stopping of a vehicle, as well, the materials used in the road construction. however, when the light at the intersection turned to caution, i had approximately 30yd to stop my vehicle while traveling at 25mph one would need 38.8yd under ideal conditions(not taking into consideration %of road ). as it were 30yd would not allow enough distance to bring a vehicle of such weight to complete stop before entering the intersection. before the vehicle could be stopped it would be right in the middle of the intersection. heaven forbid, at 35mph it would take the same vehicle 54.6yd to come to a complete stop prior to entering the intersection. from my calculations this system does not consider important factors needs to be implemented. hats of to the Missouri Supreme Court, excellent job not only from the legal standpoint; but the, practical standpoint of the photo system.