Alabama City’s Red Light Camera Scheme Is Constitutional

An Alabama city’s camera scheme under which drivers are subject to a civil fine for running a red light doesn’t violate due process, the Eleventh Circuit said July 18.

Because the scheme is civil, the plaintiffs’ challenges to it as a criminal penalty were also dismissed in the opinion by Judge John Antoon II.

When a vehicle runs a red light in Phenix City, Ala., a camera captures a video, and pictures of the light and license plate. If an employee for the contractor that oversees the process, Redflex Traffic Systems, decides a traffic violation occurred, the information is forwarded ...