A few months back we did a story about photo enforcement tickets.Since then, we've gotten all kinds of questions.
Marla in Phoenix says, "My daughter was driving. I technically own the car. Do I actually need to turn my kid in?"
Viewer Janet writes, "Can they legally retroactively issue tickets for a time when they weren't using tickets?"
And from Candess, "Do you know the (approximate) times they would try to serve you, if they did? Nights or weekends? "
The answers are not simple.
And while I can't tell you whether or not you should turn your kid in, or what time a process server will come to your house, I can tell you that you have options.
Most of them are on the ticket that shows up in the mail.
-Pay the fine
-Declare you were not the driver
-Request a hearing
-Or attend defensive driving school
But there's also the option of doing nothing, at first.
State law says you have the right to be served, in person and you "shall be served within ninety days from the filing date."
If you aren't, the ticket falls off.
Responding to the ticket acknowledges that you have received it and essentially waives your right to be served.
But if you don't respond, the city could hire a process server or ask a judge for permission to send it to you through certified mail.
At that point, not responding could get you in big trouble, and on the hook for court costs.
Need my help? Call volunteers with the Assistance League of Phoenix at 855-323-1515, email me at Joe@abc15.com or contact me on Facebook or Twitter.
