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Many states have found a way to increase revenues generated from traffic violations without having to add more officers to the payroll. The red light camera works around the clock, snapping pictures of offenders who cross through the intersection when the light has gone red. Once an officer verifies the photograph against the registered owner of the vehicle, the summons is then sent in the mail. If you have received a summons in the mail, here are several different techniques you can use that will show you how to fight a red light camera traffic ticket.

Getting the Proof
The first technique you can employ in how to fight a red light camera traffic ticket is to request that the photograph be sent to you. In many states only a summons will arrive in the mail, so contact the office that sent you the summons and make a discovery request that the photographs be sent to you. Once you have those photographs take a careful look at both the license plate and the driver. If the license plate appears fuzzy or is difficult to read, you can file an appeal. If the photograph of the driver does not look like you, this is grounds for having the ticket dismissed if you fight it in court.

The Prosecutions Responsibility
When you take your case to trail, you will either be up against a prosecutor or the police officer assigned to your case. They must present evidence to the court that the red light camera was functioning properly on the day it took your photograph and issued you a citation. They will also need to present to the court all the photographs that were taken of you and your vehicle, in addition to your drivers license photograph. If the prosecution does not present all of that evidence, you can ask for your case to be dismissed on the grounds that all the evidence was not provided properly.

Defending Yourself in Court
If you hired an attorney to help you with your case, they will be aware of all the possible conditions that can have a case thrown out. They can also do all the talking while you sit quietly by if you are uncomfortable in a court. If you decide to fight the ticket yourself to safe the cost of an attorney, make certain that an employee in charge of maintaining the red light camera and equipment is present in the courtroom. If they do not appear the day of your hearing, request that the judge dismiss the case because no one is present to authenticate the evidence. With a lack of foundation established, the judge may toss out that evidence, basically leaving the prosecution with nothing to connect you to the crime.

The Scene of the Crime
As soon as you receive a summons in the mail you should grab your camera and head to the red light where the violation was said to take place. Look carefully at all the posted signs, and make sure to take as many photographs of the intersection as possible. If your state has laws pertaining to red light camera signs warning drivers of a possible fine if caught going through this intersection, make sure those signs are present. If there are no signs visible, make sure to take pictures of the approach to the light and document the date carefully. Bring these photographs and diagrams to court, and explain to the judge how those signs were clearly not in place the day you got your summons. You have a great chance of beating the ticket when your evidence is presented in this manner.