Supreme court to rule on traffic camera case
Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008
DES MOINES (AP) -- The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to file its ruling today in a lawsuit over whether automated traffic cameras used in the city of Davenport are legal.
The justices reviewed the case of Thomas Seymour. He challenged the use of the cameras after his vehicle was photographed going 49 mph in a 35 mph zone in March 2006. Seymour, who received the $125 ticket in the mail, claimed he was denied his rights to due process.
At issue is whether the city has the authority to implement such an ordinance, which penalizes the owner of the vehicle, not necessarily the driver.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed a motion to dismiss the ticket.
A Scott County Judge rejected the group's arguments and so did an appeals court judge. That prompted the ACLU to request that the Supreme Court review the case.
The high court's ruling will likely influence the use of similar automated traffic camera systems in other Iowa cities.
The justices reviewed the case of Thomas Seymour. He challenged the use of the cameras after his vehicle was photographed going 49 mph in a 35 mph zone in March 2006. Seymour, who received the $125 ticket in the mail, claimed he was denied his rights to due process.
At issue is whether the city has the authority to implement such an ordinance, which penalizes the owner of the vehicle, not necessarily the driver.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed a motion to dismiss the ticket.
A Scott County Judge rejected the group's arguments and so did an appeals court judge. That prompted the ACLU to request that the Supreme Court review the case.
The high court's ruling will likely influence the use of similar automated traffic camera systems in other Iowa cities.
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