Running A Red Light Ozark Municipal Court

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
[email protected]
334-790-1729
Date: Oct 26 2021 10:21 AM

OZARK:    This morning I had the unpleasant experience of sitting in Ozark Municipal Court. Someone that I had on bond needed a ride and I was interested in his case.

Retired Dale County District Court Judge Stegall serves as Ozark Municipal Court Judge.

There was a case of a lady running a red light. The Ozark Police Officer testified that the driver was north bound on Highway 231. A motorcycle passed through and then the driver passed through. The officer, who was southbound, his light was red when the driver passed through the traffic light.

The driver testified she was already crossed the white line and in the intersection when the light turned red and it was to late.

Of course, the officer had no video of the infraction.

The driver, defending herself, should have asked the officer, could you see the traffic light that I saw which was northbound. If the officer could not see the traffic light the driver was following, then there is no way the officer could swear under oath she had a red light prior to crossing the white line.

Years ago in Dothan, then Police Chief John White had the City of Dothan Traffic Signal shop install white lights on a pole connected to the cycle of the traffic lights. So Dothan Police Officers can watch the white light and determine when it changes, even though he is not in the view of the lights the driver was in view of.

Of course the driver was found guilty of running a red light. The Judge ordered fines and court costs which is $ 183.00.

The actual fine for running a red light is $ 20.00. The other $ 163.00 is court costs. The court costs are required regardless if a person goes to court or pays the fine prior to court.

The Alabama Legislature, rather than raising taxes, increases the court costs. The   $ 163.00 court costs are divided in more pieces then a 1,000 piece puzzle.

When the court begins to yell they need more money to operate, if the court costs went to the operation of the court, there is enough money to operate the court system.

But the Alabama Legislature can say they did not raise taxes. But they raise fees.

RUNNING A RED LIGHT:   Fine $ 20.00.   Court Costs. $ 163.00.  TOTAL. $ 183.00

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