Red light cameras are returning to Phoenix, Arizona, likely by the end of 2025. There are important things to know about your rights when it comes to getting a red light camera notice in the mail. Founder of Corso Law Group, attorney Christopher Corso, was recently interviewed by ABC15 Arizona, where he shared his key insights on red light cameras.
Red Light Camera Notices Are Not the Same as Formal Tickets
Arizona photo radar ticket attorney, Christopher P. Corso, has years of experience on both sides of the law. As a former prosecutor, he understands how the other side works during traffic cases. Recently, he weighed in on the City of Phoenix’s plan to bring back red light cameras in a conversation with reporter Adam Klepp for ABC15 News Arizona.
Using his years of experience as a highly reputable traffic court lawyer in Arizona, Mr. Corso explained that a red light camera notice sent to a driver by mail may look like a real-life ticket, but it is not. Drivers in Arizona have the right to be officially served for red-light-running allegations. The state has 90 days to formally serve drivers with the real thing.
The notice sent by mail is simply the court’s way of trying to get the driver to pay the ticket or address the matter in some other way, such as taking a Traffic Survival School course or calling the court to request a traffic ticket hearing. It is not a ticket that the driver is immediately required to pay.
The State Has the Burden of Proof in a Red Light Camera Case
Another useful piece of information shared in the ABC15 News article is that the state is required to prove the legal elements of a red light camera case. This includes proving that it was the accused driver, and not someone else, driving the car at the time of the picture.
Mr. Corso advised readers that if it was not you driving the car in the photo, you could nominate who it was. However, this could still lead to issues for the registered owner of the vehicle. You may be subject to driving record penalties, for example, that could negatively affect a job that relies on a clean record.
What to Do if You Get Ticketed By the New Red Light Cameras in Phoenix
As of now, Phoenix City Council wants to add fixed red light running cameras to 10 intersections in the city by fall 2025 as part of the Citywide Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan. The locations of these cameras will be determined based on traffic and accident data.
If you receive a notice of an alleged violation in the mail after the implementation of the new red light cameras, review the ticket and photos to check the accuracy of the information. There may be errors that make it invalid, such as the wrong license plate numbers or timing.
Wait for the court to send you an actual ticket before deciding to pay. Then, consult with a traffic ticket attorney in Phoenix, AZ to discuss your legal rights and options. A photo radar lawyer in Arizona may be able to contest the red light ticket with a personalized defense. This could lead to reduced penalties or case dismissal.
Learn More About Red Light Camera Violations | Contact Corso Law Group
As mentioned in the article, Christopher P. Corso at Corso Law Group is happy to answer questions about a red light camera ticket in Arizona free of charge during an initial consultation. Mr. Corso stated for ABC15 News: “I want everybody to understand their rights, and I don’t need to take a fee to do that.”
To schedule a free red light consultation with our knowledgeable attorney, contact us anytime. We are available 24/7.
