After receiving MANY requests for help from folkes that have gotten citations/tickets from Garfield Heights I decided to put this page of information up.

I GOT A TICKET WHAT DO I DO NOW?

First the stuff to protect me, my warning and disclaimer:
I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY I CANNOT GIVE YOU ADVICE ON WHAT YOU SHOULD DO !
YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN ATTORNEY BEFORE YOU TAKE ANY ACTION.
                                                                                          -Ron Finnerty

OK, now the question is what would I do if I got one of these citation? (see i can legally tell you what I would do but can't tell you what you should do-get it?)

1. I would check the accuracy of all information on the citation- EVERY DETAIL.

Well first I have not as of yet even seen one of these citations. So let's review what I would be looking for on the citation.

1. Is my name spelled correct?

2. Is the car and License plate the one shown in the picture?

   Yes, many cities have issued tickets to Pickup trucks and the picture was a car with different license plates.
   Hey, we all make mistakes, even though 4 different sets of eyes are supposed to review these citations before they are sent.
   Guess we know who maybe should get their glasses prescription checked.
   
   

3. Is the date and time and all details correct? Could I have been there at that time?

4. Is the area a school zone?

   This is because school zones have a lower threshold for how fast you can go before the cameras are supposed to issue a ticket.
   Specifically, The mayor and Law director say it is 7 MPH over posted speed in a school zone.
   
   

4.  

5. From the : FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES CITY OF GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OHIO
   Tuesday, January 12, 2010
   
   

   Judge Nicastro stated :

   " So if you file a lawsuit you have to have the money when you file but... if it is a traffic ticket or criminal case you don’t pay the money until the end of the case."

   Later in the discusssion the camera tickets are mentioned:
   
   CLWN MARINCIC: The red light cameras. Will they affect the Court?
   JUDGE NICASTRO: That will have no impact on us whatsoever. It has nothing to do with us.
   CLWN MARINCIC: So they can’t fight a ticket and end up in Court? It has no effect on a person’s license, right?
   JUDGE NICASTRO:
                                       " There’s no points. You don’t report it to the State
                                       so it’s a totally civil administrative process that you institute on the city’s side.
                                       Be aware of this  -     If they dispute it they could sue you,
                                       but not in our Court. I believe they have to go to Common Pleas Court. "