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I got out of my red light ticket in KCMO about a year ago. The truth was that I actually wasn't driving, but they sent me the ticket because the car was in my name. I was actually out of town and had an airfare and hotel receipt.
I called the prosecutor's office and explained I had this info that I could fax/e-mail them and asked them to drop the charge. They said no, I had to show up at my court date if I wanted to contest it.
I go to court and talk to the prosecutor beforehand--showed my receipts. They said I had to fill out a form--which included naming who was actually driving. I said, "I shouldn't have to give someone's name--I wasn't even present at the incident, so I don't have first-hand knowledge anyway. Don't you need to prove it was me driving? I have evidence here showing it couldn't have been me. How can you still press charges?"
Prosecutor said he was not allowed to drop red light charges. So I had to wait my turn for the judge. Gave the judge my receipts and he asked who was driving. I said, "I wasn't there, so I can't say for sure." He didn't press me about it and dismissed the charge.
So, I didn't have to pay, but it was still a complete pain in the ass, especially considering I didn't actually commit the violation. In principle, I don't necessarily think the cameras are bad, but I do think it is complete BS that they don't have to prove you are the one driving by at least getting your face in the photo.
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