By Emily Kelley, Esq.
If you’ve driven around many larger cities in Colorado over the past few years, you probably noticed infrared auto matic surveillance cameras snapping pictures of alleged traffic offenders. Maybe you’ve even been mailed a picture of yourself or your vehicle allegedly caught in the act of some traffic infraction. These unmanned auto cameras have created quite a stir over the years raising concerns about proper revenue generation, [1] [2]service of process [3]invasion of privacy, [4] and whether jurisdictions should even be permitted to use them at all.
On May 18, 2015, the Colorado Governor was sent an Act that may change all that. [5]According to HB15-1098, which as of today still has not been signed by the Governor, if your jurisdiction does not currently have traffic cameras, it must be put up for a vote in your local jurisdiction. If your jurisdiction already uses traffic cameras, it can go for a vote at the next general election. Should voters decide to discontinue the traffic cameras, the jurisdiction must do so within 2 months. If the local government does not have an election on this particular issue, it must discontinue the use of traffic cameras no later than November 8, 2016. While the Governor hasn’t signed the bill yet, it is a significant step in what has been a contentious criminal/traffic issue over the last several years. Before you pay that ticket, know your rights! Contact our expert Criminal Law Group to assist you in your defense, at 1-(888) 458-0991.