Anyone who's ever been caught on film while speeding or running a red light probably dislikes traffic cameras, but an Ohio attorney, Warner Mendenhall, thinks these cameras, which have become common in many cities throughout the country, are not only annoying but unfair, and unconstitutional.
Mendenhall filed a lawsuit after his wife was caught by a portable camera in an Akron, OH, school zone in November, 2005, and was given a speeding ticket. He argued that the camera system used by the city of Akron was unfair, and driven by a desire to raise money through fines.
According to Akron city officials, the traffic cameras were originally introduced in October, 2005, after a ten-year-old boy died as the result of a hit-and-run accident in a school crosswalk.
In a ruling handed down on December 10th, 2008 – three years after the initial incident - U. S. District Court Judge David Dowd rejected Mendenhall's claim. Dowd said that the traffic camera program is not unconstitutional, and that it actually respects the legal rights of citizens.
Mr. Mendenhall has stated that he will appeal the decision, with the United States Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.
city of Akron is still using traffic cameras.
