Maryland Courts Start Refusing Innocent Pleas To Speed Camera Tickets

Prince George's County, Maryland judges are tired of complaints that photo enforcement citations are inaccurate or otherwise invalid. To speed proceedings on "speed camera day" when automated citation cases are heard, at least one judge is cautioning motorists not to bother attempting to prove their innocence, regardless of the merit of their argument.

"This is a speed camera violation session," District Judge Jean S. Baron said on November 9. "The only defense the court is going to accept is if you were not the driver of the vehicle and you have the name and the address of the person who was driving and you present that to the court under oath, I will accept that as a defense. Please don't tell me that you know you couldn't have been going that fast or there's something wrong with the equipment."

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monster - 11/22/2011 2:36:41 PM

+1 Boost

The day is coming where we all have to behave like robots and conform exactly to each and every rule.

Joe_Limon - 11/22/2011 2:38:34 PM

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The day driving becomes black box enforced I think I'll give up and buy an autonomous vehicle and play racing games during my commutes...

Joe_Limon - 11/22/2011 2:36:56 PM

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It seems like this past year photo cameras in my neighborhood are out in full force. On my 10 minute commute I pass a few stationary cameras and at least one camera vehicle. They are raking in the dough.

85bmw745i - 11/23/2011 1:58:20 PM

+1 Boost

Dang Joe, they sure don't like us on this post lol

cdoke - 11/22/2011 4:08:16 PM

+5 Boost

Judge Baron needs removed.

It is quite obvious that Mr. Foreman is correct. Additionally, because Mr. Foreman used the data from the camera itself, any argument that the camera company can make would be contingent upon them admitting that the cameras are incorrect.

The judge's refusal to accept any plea but guilty, without reguard for the merits of the case, but rather because of their type, effectively violates due proces and is illegal.

cdoke - 11/22/2011 4:10:10 PM

+4 Boost

In other words, the people of Prince George's County need to teach the little half-witted bastard a lesson.

85bmw745i - 11/23/2011 2:02:33 AM

-3 Boost

Not only that, What if the owner of the car wasn't driving it that day. I don't know about you guys but I have lent my vehicle out once or twice, and when all I had was a 92 Celica when I was in the military, I borrowed my friends truck and even my supervisors truck one when I was moving. Part of the due process of law is having the option to plea. Conservatives are going to control the world, what we do, and one day, eventually, our minds.

cdoke - 11/23/2011 9:35:25 AM

+4 Boost

"Conservatives" have nothing to do with this, don't maginalize yourself by adding such a statement to your post; it makes you look like fool.

The judge did state that he would accept an innocent plea but only if the person charged wasn't driving AND had the name and address for the person who was. Let's forget for a moment that such ignores any circumstances such as your car being stolen; he is forcing one to effecitvely incriminate someone who will not be able to face their accuser.

All of that is ancillary though, the fact is that the cameras ARE screwing up and this judge is setting up a system whereby innocent people have no choice but to lie to the court (read: commit perjury).

85bmw745i - 11/23/2011 12:57:46 PM

-1 Boost

Yeah I agree that wasn't the most intelligent statement to make in this case, and this subject matter wasn't the correct place to bring up my opinion but never the less its true.

85bmw745i - 11/23/2011 1:02:59 PM

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In my opinion that is.

MeanVulcan - 11/28/2011 11:19:38 AM

+1 Boost

the day is coming when a Judge gets to decide when, where and how justice is served. Forget justice for all.

We are heading in the wrong direction if this is allowed to stay.