Q: Cops were taking photos of people driving in a “bus only lane.” Can the photo be used to issue a ticket?
Can they use the photo to send a ticket in the mail? It was 3:05 and the lane was set to be adjusted at 3:00. I’ve never seen this before. Mainly concerned about getting a possible citation in the mail. There were 5-7 vehicles in the lane and photos were quickly snapped of each vehicle as it drove by. The officer had what usually looked like the machine that prints parking tickets on her hands at the time.
A: A big problem with attempts to enforce traffic laws with only photographs is identity. Typically, the vehicle and plate number can be documented, and linked to the owner. But the driver can rarely if ever be identified. That's why police officers cannot be replaced with cameras. If the government were somehow able to get evidence of who was driving at the time (like an admission from the driver), they could then have enough evidence to prosecute.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
