arizona photo radar

Imagine getting a photo radar ticket for something you didn’t do. Arizona Rep. Bob Thorpe of Flagstaff is proposing a bill (HB 2366) that would do just that.

With this new bill, it would end the requirement for photo radar tickets to have a picture of the vehicle’s driver. The only thing the government would need is a picture of the license plate.

On its face, the bill’s main purpose is to put photo radar cameras on school buses. With a camera attached to a bus, Arizona law enforcement hopes it will be be able to catch drivers who don’t stop for school buses.

Under Arizona law, motorists must stop when a school bus has its flashing lights on and a stop sign extended. Anyone who violates this law must pay a $250 fine. If the violation occurs three times within a 36-month period, motorists can lose their license for at least six months.

If the bill is approved, however, the photo radar law will affect more than just school buses. Car owners will no longer be able to prove who was driving their vehicle. When a photo radar camera takes a picture of the license plate and not the driver, car owners will have two options; pay the ticket or provide the name of who was driving the vehicle.

Since it’s entirely plausible that a family member, friend or mechanic could drive someone else’s car from time to time, the threat of overreaching and unfair photo radar ticketing becomes a concern. If for some reason, the car exceeds the speed limit, the government won’t know who’s behind the wheel. The car owner will then receive the ticket and face the penalty unless they can provide another name.

As this new bill makes it way through the legislature, it’s clear it is more about making a profit than safety. Every year, photo radar companies and the government look to maximize their revenue from photo radar tickets.

As the process for prosecuting photo radar tickets continues to change, Corso Law Group is one of the few firms in Arizona that specializes in photo radar defense and understands how to fight them. Should you have questions about photo radar or any other moving violation, please contact us for a free consultation or call (480) 471-4616.

A strong passion for justice and dedication to defending the rights of their clients as well as an extensive knowledge of Arizona state and national laws have given Corso Law Group a competitive edge against other Arizona attorneys, and satisfied clients are sharing their positive experiences.

“Providing a personal touch is one of the rules we live by at Corso Law Group,” said founding partner Christopher P. Corso, Esq. “All of the positive reviews and positive feedback we receive bring us closer to our clients and allow us to continue to grow as a firm.

Several triumphant clients support Corso’s comments with positive reviews.

“I am very blessed to have walked into the law offices of Corso Law Group,” Alex L. said. “Their associates were only a call away, and they have been handling my cases ever since then. I currently live out of state, but Corso Law Group always keeps me updated, follows up with me and…believes in me. I don’t know what I would do without their judgement and strict belief in justice.”

The criminal defense attorneys of Corso Law Group aggressively work to defend their clients, but they also take the time to get to know each individual to meet their specific legal needs.

Another Corso Law Group review amplifies this statement.

“They were easy to work with and did not hide anything,” Anthony S. of Scottsdale said. “They showed me how the case would typically proceed and made sure I was comfortable. My first time with a lawyer was easy. They make you feel at home. My case was dismissed, as they predicted. Try them, I recommend them all day long.”

The experienced attorneys at Corso Law Group are experts in criminal law, handling all criminal defense cases, including DUI defense, domestic violence defense, possession of drugs, felony drug charges, photo radar, criminal speeding, disorderly conduct and marijuana possession.

Corso Law Group also handles all types of Arizona family law cases, including Arizona divorce issues such as child custody, child support, alimony disputes, spousal support issues and visitation rights. And the Arizona lawyers are experts at Arizona personal injury and accident cases. From worker’s compensation claims to Arizona auto accidents, the personal injury lawyers at Corso Law Group continue to garner positive reviews for their attention to detail and their care and commitment.

The experienced attorneys at Corso Law Group serve clients throughout Arizona, including the cities of Ahwatukee, Avondale, Buckeye, Chandler, El Mirage, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson and Youngtown. To schedule a free consultation, please visit www.corsolawgroup.com or call (480) 471-4616. Corso Law Group, PLLC is located at 17470 N. Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255.

Since photo radar systems were first approved and made active in Arizona, the devices have been a source of controversy, with officials such as Governor Jan Brewer have been fighting to do away with photo radar for good.

Arizona drivers can rest assured on state highways where photo radar systems have been banned, but other busy streets and intersections are still considered photo radar traps by drivers.

The photo radar attorneys at Corso Law Group are experienced in specific Arizona traffic laws and tirelessly defend the rights of their clients by looking for the best remedy to each individual case.

Today, many are still outraged by the use of Redflex photo radar systems in the state. While cities like Surprise have eliminated photo radar systems, others continue to implement these devices.

El Mirage, a small city west of Phoenix known for its use of photo radar as a hefty source of the city’s revenue, has photo radar systems set up on several main roads including Primrose and Grand Avenue where a driver and his wife were ticketed by a photo radar system for speeding during what he claims was an escape from a dangerous road rage system.

You can read more more on this man’s case here.

Do you feel unfairly trapped by the state’s use of Redflex photo radar systems? If you’ve been ticketed by photo radar cameras in El Mirage, we can help.

A new bill concerning the use of photo radar in Arizona has been introduced by state representatives. HB 2690 says that all authorities and agencies in Arizona using photo enforcement have to calibrate the camera systems at least once every 24 hours.

If a ticket produced from a photo enforcement system is distributed without the proper time stamp that meets the 24 hour calibration requirement, that ticket would be dismissed by the court.

Proponents of HB 2690, such as the sponsor of the bill, Rep. David Gowan, believe that this new bill would ensure that photo radar systems reach the same level of quality as hand held radar systems, which are tested everyday by police officers, and would also grant drivers fair treatment if they are ticketed by a photo radar system.

Previously, state legislators like Governor Jan Brewer have signed bills that aim to eliminate photo enforcement in Arizona, including a law from 2013 that only allows photo radar systems if state transportation officials confirm they’re necessary due to safety needs, the Associated Press and KPHO reports.

Criticism of the new bill focus on the confusion surrounding the term “calibrate” and how exactly it defines this piece of legislation.

In Tucson, photo enforcement systems have been in placement since 2009 by American Traffic Solutions and the systems are tested for accuracy through a computer once a day, according to KGUN 9.

Tucson police Commander Robert Shoun said in the East Valley Tribune that calibrate could mean anything, but if it means a specialist is required to visit each affected intersection and check on the camera devices personally at least once every 24 hours, that would be a large expense for towns and cities.

Update: Although HB 2690 passed out of the House Transportation Committee in February, on March 18, 2014, HB 2690 failed to pass the Senate Transportation Committee. For more details, you can review the bill’s history here.

All Arizona drivers have experienced that panic stricken moment when the flash of a traffic camera goes off. Immediately, they check their speedometers and glance around to see if someone else could have been the cause. These anxieties will not be put at ease any time soon as additional mobile photo enforcement devices are implemented around school zones in Scottsdale.

Drivers Beware

Since July 21, portable towers have been randomly placed in Scottsdale’s 31 different school sites and the devices will be moved to other high-traffic areas when school is not in session.

School zones are already danger zones for drivers who do not adhere to the strict speed limit. Speeding drivers face harsh fines in addition to other penalties depending on the speed the driver was going at the time of the incident.

In fact, it’s very plausible that a regular speeding ticket could become a criminal speeding ticket when you add school zone enforcement to the equation. Here’s how: If a school zone is normally 40 mph during non-school hours,you can easily end up with a criminal ticket if you get caught during the zone hours thinking otherwise. And criminal speeding tickets are much more impactful on any driving record.

“Speeding in a school zone is never a good idea,” said an attorney. “But there are already police officers in the area while school is in session waiting for someone to violate the speed limit. Adding portable towers to those zones means the area will be constantly monitored.”

According to Arizona Driving University, “in this state, all typical speeding citation fines are doubled, with some of the proceeds going toward the Safe Routes to School statewide program. According to this legislation, passed in 2006, if a moving traffic violation is committed while the school zone lights are flashing or the “Stop When Children in Crosswalk” signs are posted, the fine will be an automatic minimum of $200. Depending on the offense, you might also get two or three points on your license. You may or may not be eligible to attend defensive driving school to erase your penalties.”

Why are these photo enforcement towers necessary? Most drivers may view the portable towers as an inconvenience, but statistics have shown that the presence of the photo enforcement devices lead to a decrease in the number of car collisions overall.

“No one enjoys dealing with driving fines and citations from traffic cameras,” said Christopher P. Corso, Esq. “But if the presence of a photo enforcement device alone can reduce the number of car collisions, then they can be considered somewhat beneficial to society.”

How can drivers combat getting ticketed in these new enforcement areas? Simple, slow down. Being aware that enforcement has increased in these areas will help drivers to be more aware of their surroundings and make the road safer for all drivers.

Scottsdale, Ariz. – The Arizona photo radar lawyers at Scottsdale’s Corso Law Group work tirelessly to fight El Mirage photo radar tickets.

Fighting El Mirage photo radar tickets is a specialty for Corso Law Group. The law firm is one of only a handful of firms that specializes in Arizona photo radar defense. The photo radar lawyers look for new ways to interpret the laws and arrive at solutions that make sense for their clients.

When it comes to fighting El Mirage photo radar tickets, the Arizona traffic lawyers at Corso Law Group say they’ve handled more than any other firm in the state.

“There are many ways to fight El Mirage photo radar tickets but it requires an experienced traffic lawyer,” said one of the firm’s founding partners. “We know the law and the rules. Hiring our firm gives you an advantage when fighting El Mirage photo radar tickets.”

The process for prosecuting photo radar tickets has changed over the years and continues to evolve every day. We stay on top of the legal arguments and help you receive the best possible outcome.

According Christopher P. Corso, Esq., there are many misconceptions about photo radar tickets in Arizona.

“The days of process servers approaching you and handing you a ticket are long gone,” Corso said. “Process servers can deliver the ticket to your door and leave it or the ticket can be sent directly through the mail. The reason is the state of Arizona considers both options an acceptable application of alternative service.”

“When you receive your paperwork in the mail, the process has begun – the clock is ticking,” said an attorney. “To the courts, the United States Post Office is reliable delivery service and the address on your registration is reliable because you are required by law to keep it updated. The courts have your photo, they have your registration and they a picture of your license. Claiming that you haven’t been served is not a realistic option anymore.”

To see Corso Law Group’s track record with El Mirage photo radar tickets, please visit: http://crcriminallaw.com/arizona-photo-radar-defense/. It’s important to remember that results may vary depending on a client’s individual circumstances. Please contact Corso Law Group’s legal support team to discuss an El Mirage photo radar case or any Arizona photo radar case.

In addition to civil speeding and criminal speeding issues, Corso Law Group handles a myriad of criminal cases, including Arizona DUIs (the firm has handled more than 14,000 DUI cases), domestic violence defense, possession of drugs, felony drug charges, photo radar, disorderly conduct and marijuana possession.

The Arizona traffic lawyers at Corso Law Group do everything in their power to protect their defendant’s families and advocate for their rights. They have the experience and expertise to deal with traffic charges in Arizona and will fight to get the charges dismissed and preserve their family.

Corso Law Group has quickly built a reputation for its vigorous defense of clients, using its lawyers’ previous experience with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and other prosecutorial agencies to assist its clients with their criminal defense cases.

The experienced Arizona traffic lawyers at Corso Law Group serve clients throughout Arizona, including the cities of Ahwatukee, Avondale, Buckeye, Chandler, El Mirage, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson and Youngtown.

To schedule a free consultation, please visit www.corsolawgroup.com or call (480) 471-4616. Corso Law Group, PLLC is located at 17470 N. Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255.