TILDEN LAW – Orlando Criminal Attorney

A class-action lawsuit was filed claiming Orlando’ red light cameras are unconstitutional and should no longer be used to issue tickets.

The city placed the cameras at seven intersections a year ago but the suit alleges that the real reason for the program was to generate revenue.  According to Richard Schuler, an partner with the West Palm Beach  law firm that filed the suit against Orlando and several other governments, “It’s a moneymaker.”

City Attorney Maryanne Downs said that Orlando reviewed the legalities before adopting the camera ordinance in December 2007 and is confident it will prevail in court.

Nabeel Ansari, 27, who is the only named plaintiff, had more practical reasons for filing the suit. He racked up 3 tickets from November 29^th to June 15^th totaling $500.00 in fines. The first offense is $125.00, after that it jumps to $250.00 for the third or subsequent offense in three years. 

Though Ansari admitted to running the light, the lawsuit alleges that the cameras are unfair partly because they don’t determine who is driving. It claims the plaintiffs “were presumed guilty by reason of their ownership of the vehicle” and had to prove their innocence which is contrary to legal precedent.

Schuler argues, “you shouldn’t have to prove anything, they should have to prove the case against you.”

If you have been accused  of a criminal charge in Orange County or Seminole County, Florida, please contact Tilden Law to speak with an experienced defense attorney and for you free initial consultation at 407-599-1234.

According to a Sheriff’s Office report, a clerk at the Kangaroo gas station at 4900 County Road 200A in Ocala, FL called the Sheriff’s Office shortly after 9 p.m. Monday and told a dispatcher someone had been passed out in their vehicle for about 20 minutes.

A deputy noted in his report that as he approached the vehicle, he smelled a strong odor of alcohol. The driver, later identified as Rafael Delgado Rivera, was talking on a phone. His eyes were bloodshot, his eyelids were droopy and his speech was slurred.

Rivera told the deputy he had taken Xanax and Oxycodone, and had approximately five to six beers.

While getting out of the vehicle, the deputy said Rivera fell down and his body locked up and his eyes rolled back.

An ambulance was called and Rivera was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where it was determined he had opiates and cannabis in his system, and had a .336 blood alcohol content.

Officials discovered his driver’s license was suspended in September 2007 for failure to pay child support. Rivera remained at the hospital for several hours so his alcohol and drug combination could subside before he was released. He then was taken to the Marion County Jail.

If you have been charged with a DUI in Orange County or Seminole County, Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers at Tilden Law for a free initial consultation, 407-599-1234.