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The law I talk about is Texas laws, as set forth in the Texas Penal Code, Section 38.02 (a) and (b). Therein, it clearly states that you commit an offense ONLY if you fail to ‘identify’ yourself (with name, address, and/or date of birth) to an officer WHO HAS LEGALY ARRESTED (or, sometimes, detained) YOU! There is NO requirement to possess ANY kind of ‘official’ identification in Texas! NONE! Most folks DO have some form of government issued form of I.D., but only out of necessity. You need one to buy alcohol, cash a check, drive a car, buy a gun, etc. If you don’t do any of those things, you have no need for an “ID”.

To me, it’s simply a matter of personal freedom from unreasonable ’search’. No one has a ‘right’ to know who I am, just because they say so. And further, if they DO have a need/right to know, they can take my word. And, if I’m lying, THEN I’m guilty of a crime.

I applaud your efforts to weed out people who believe they can exercice their authority innappropriately.

I heard about a case where a guy in Houston got a ticket, fought it, and because he travelled so often for business, he was able to get his trial postponed a bunch of times. When he finally got a court date that didn’t conflict with his business travel, two years had passed and the officer had moved to Dallas, so his case was dismissed.

More later, when I have a reschedule date, and when I’ve received a copy of the dashcam video.

Reviewing exactly what’s on the video would be the first step. I know I am not able to remember every detail and every movement I make at every intersection. Perhaps viewing the video will refresh your memory of what actually took place.

And, I wouldn’t use the ‘I must stop to change gears’ defense. I may be wrong, but I don’t know of any vehicle that requires a ‘full stop’ to change gears. That would be rather cumbersome and inefficient.

In summary, gather all your evidence, review the applicable laws regarding your community/city/state, and weigh the merits of challenging vs. just paying the ticket. Me, personally, I challenge just about everything. It puts them on the defensive and makes them prove their point, rather than just expecting you to pay your fine and move on.

Keeps us updated on what goes on! Good luck!

That provision in the vehicle code is relatively new. It was adopted in 2007. There was a controversy in Richardson or Garland (I don’t remember which) back in 2006 when someone crossed the stop line within the last half-second of yellow, but got a camera ticket. When he fought the ticket, he was told that he had to cross the imaginary line formed by the extension of the cross-street’s curbs before the start of red. But he fought the ticket in court and won because the city decided not to prosecute.

I’m glad the Legislature stepped in to stop that unfair practice. We put a thick white piece of thermoplastic (the stop line) on the ground and we train drivers to stop there. Any reasonable driver who is trying to enter the intersection before the start of red would think that he only has to reach the stop line. Then the camera operators step in and say that you not only have to reach the clearly-marked stop line, but you also have to reach an invisible line 10-20 feet beyond it! It’s analogous to running a race, and losing because someone arbitrarily pulled the finish line away from you just in time for the runner-up to overtake you.

I would ALWAYS contest a red light camera ticket, especially in Garland, TX, where they seem to be pushing the definition of what running a red light is. At locations where there are cameras, there SHOULD be clearly marked stop (limit) lines. Texas law clearly states where you have to stop for a red light. If you are past that “point”, then you aren’t running a red light.

Challenge the next ticket you get! You don’t need a lawyer. Just study the laws and learn how the court process works. You don’t really lose anything but a little of your time, and sometimes a small court fee IF you lose.

Read the last line of my post; and, study up on that guy and the appeal he filed. See what you can find; and next time, take ‘em to court!