San Francisco Docs - Continued - Red Light Cams

San Francisco Docs Set # 3
One Defendant's Experience in Court
New 3-25-05

"After failing the trial by declaration, I did the trial de novo in SF traffic court. After roll call, they asked if anyone wanted to take traffic school and a number of people did. Just before the trials started they asked again, strongly implying this was the last chance, but stated, "After the trial, you may not be granted traffic school." Heavy! I don't know if this was so in later cases because mine was the second trial and the first one was tried in absentia.
The commissioner had the officer state her case and show the photos. She ticked off all the vital stats, where, when, etc. but said, "The driver's photo matches the stated age range and characteristics of the registered owner." Curious. She did not say anything like, "The photo of the driver and the owner of the vehicle are the same." The commissioner asked me if I wanted to question the officers statement, or the technician who was also present, or give my version of events (confess?).
I declined and went right to step one, questioning the photo of the driver. I said,"The photo is rather blurry. You must have a clear photo." The color photo original, as you pointed out, was little better than the black and white copy mailed to me. Half the face is obscured by mirror and sunglasses and the rest is so fuzzy you can't even make out what the nose looks like. The commissioner looked at the photo for a minute and said,"The face looks about as clear as a department store mannequin's. Dismissed!"
Another thing I noticed about this photo packet was the traffic light was obscured by the gatsometer box so you couldn't see if the light was actually red though I didn't have the chance to point this out. So there I was all prepared for a hard slog and I got as far as step one! Thanks for your help. I'm glad this ordeal is finally over.
I noticed your news about automated photo radar being on the way. Groan. Unlike the movie, I suspect our Governator will support this Rise of the Machines. [For more info about the speed cameras, see the Legislation section on the Action page.] As for the warning signs in San Francisco, they are a bit hard to measure as they are so high off the ground, often perched high atop a light standard so I guess we'd have to take the sign installers word for it they are the right dimensions.
The moral of this story? Drive carefully because it's the right thing to do and Big Brother is watching."

San Francisco Docs Set # 4
Program Details

The City of San Francisco has, on its website, a history of the program.

highwayrobbery.net has an archive copy of the 2011 version of that history, which has much more information, including how and why the (statewide) fine grew to be so large.

The Superior Court has information at http://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/index.aspx?page=179

If these pages have gone away, use the archive.

Judge Meeks retired in 2006, and now works as a temporary judge. I strongly recommend doing a Peremptory Challenge to remove him from your case.
Profile

San Francisco Docs Set # 7
Encroachment Permits

Some of the City's cameras are located on CalTrans right-of-ways, so are operated under an encroachment permit obtained from CalTrans. HighwayRobbery.net obtained these documents from CalTrans, via a public records request.

Various, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006

Some other cities operate cameras under encroachment permits. For more information about those cities and about CalTrans' criteria for the issuance of an encroachment permit, see the CalTrans section on the Links page.

San Francisco Docs Set # 8
"No Right Turn on Green" Camera at Octavia

Read AB 2729 (of 2010) on the Action/Legis page.

San Francisco Docs Set # 9
More Coming

There may be some more San Francisco information posted here in the next few weeks. Mark your calendar to remind you to come back here and look!

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