Wanted to share some updated information for 2015 (received my ticket June 2015)….

* Calling SF Superior Court Traffic Division was very helpful (415) 551-8550 / Press 0 ; hardly any wait time on phone and received concise instructions. Lady at the Superior Court was rather unclear & not forthcoming with info so I was happy to have called in advance.

* There is a option to NOT contest your ticket and request for a REDUCED bail amount (this is the route I took, the video shows me clearly running the red) & still have the option to go to traffic school.

This means you have to go to the Traffic Division in person, schedule a date to come back (usually 2 weeks out) and at that time, the judge (who focuses on bail) will determine new amount. Current bail for red light is $490. Based on person I spoke to on phone, they’ll knock off at least $200. Key word advice I received is that you CANNOT miss this scheduled date. If you miss it, there is a $300 penalty on top of your bail AND you forfeit your chance to take traffic school.

So here I am, scheduled my date and going to request for a reduction. Any new information, I’ll post. But seems like it should be fairly straightforward as long as I don’t miss that date.

Just wanted to share my experience as this website was truly helpful to me when I was searching for anwers online. Thank you AMUSINGS author.

are you guys still checking this? I want to check if you are still checking this site?

http://www.cite-web.com/media/SanFrancisco/Images/2015/03/dep_211153/03072015_211900_3044_1_19_12_1I1.jpg

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6U3wkA4ANrLTkJZX0dwVWQzYUU/view?usp=sharing

Here are the issues: My dad turned in his driver’s license years ago, and he suffered a severe head injury from a fall just a week before infraction. He is currently under hospice care and we’re not expecting him to survive another week. Should I have my mother sign the affidavit stating my dad is not the driver without naming myself (will the ticket be dismissed and I’ll take my chances that they might not find me)? Will my mother need to appear in court later for this (I’m not going to put her thru that)?

Thanks in advance for any advice and help.

Thanks

We had no reason to be anywhere that particular street. Can you suggest a defense strategy?

Thanks

The moral of my court battle is such: If your picture is blurry, then contest your ticket til the very end.

Here is what you should do:

First contest your ticket by requesting a Trial by Written Declaration. You have to put up the full bail amount but you will get it back when your case is dismissed.
Trial by Written Declaration is a secret weapon great for two reasons:
1) If you lose, you can still exercise your right for a new trial (Trial de Novo) held at the courthouse down at 850 Bryant.
2) You avoid spending any time at 850 Bryant and all the degradation that comes with it.

Download the form and mail it in:
http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/tr205.pdf

*My evidence rested on the inaccuracy of the photographic evidence. I was ruled guilty, so in hindsight I should have shifted my response to how the red light camera photo was too blurry to accurately determine the identity of the driver.

Though the court may not notify you in a proper or timely manner, they are not responsible for keeping you in the dark. Be proactive and call frequently for updates on your case. Traffic Division: (415) 551-8550

If you lose your Trial by Written Declaration, request a Trial de Novo. You can submit by mail, but I dropped it at the Clerks Office in Room 140 because I did it close to the deadline. They will choose the trial date and notify you by mail so remember to call the # above to get updates.

Get it here:
http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/tr220.pdf

Fast forward 2 months. Trial was interesting. It began with a roll call of both officers and defendants. My officer was present, because SF County has two ‘officers’ dedicated to handling court issues involving SF red light camera tickets, so if you hope to dismiss your case in this manner, be mindful of this fact. The clerk/bailiff will make you watch a video and offer you one last chance to pay the full fine, but with the option of traffic school. I almost fell prey to this final tactic. After around 45 minutes the red light camera officer sat next to me and whispered she would ask the judge for a dismissal based on the blurry and inconclusive photographic evidence. She dismissed another man’s ticket as well. I walk out with a piece of paper stamped DISMISSED. Of course, I will be calling the Traffic Division hotline to see when my refund will arrive.

I left out some details to keep my post brief. E-mail me with any questions: defbybunga at gmail.com