January 19, 2011

Red-Light Camera Tickets: Case Dismissed!

703px-red-light-camera-springfield-ohio.jpgIt happens often that I am approached with the question: Can you beat red-light camera tickets? Many motorists were rightfully nervous when the first influx of red-light cameras began to appear in Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach. This was the first time in Florida history that a motorist could be cited for a traffic infraction without ever even knowing it happened. Flashing red lights in the rear view mirror were to become a thing of the past. Now, local governments including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, and Boca Raton are on a new track to increase revenues for their municipalities. It was argued by local leaders that the new red-light cameras will increase traffic safety. After all, isn't it the responsibility of our government to keep us safe? Although local leaders are proud to say that their move to institute red-light cameras was based on keeping people safe the reality is that the move was instituted on the notion that cities need money: and this is a great way to make money.

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July 28, 2010

Florida Highway Patrol Officer Sentenced to 364 Days in Jail

Florida Highway Patrol Officer Paul C. Lawrence was sentenced to 364 days in jail today. As you may remember, Trooper Paul C. Lawrence was arrested for fraudulently writing hundreds (maybe thousands) of fake traffic tickets to motorists in South Florida. Trooper Paul C. Lawrence was bold enough to write traffic tickets to motorists he had never even pulled over, some of whom were even not in the Country when the citations were written.

Please click to read about Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Paul C. Lawrence and his fraudulent traffic tickets.

In this case, it appears that Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Paul C. Lawrence will face the punishment of 364 days in the county jail for his actions. Lawrence was originally charged by the Office of the State Attorney with multiple felony counts. However, as part of the plea agreement, all the felony charges were reduced to misdemeanors.

It appears to me that this story reveals two things for sure. First, it could not be clearer that South Florida law enforcement does in fact have a "quota" system. South Florida Law Enforcement has long denied that any form of quota system is used. However, there appears to be no other incentive for the actions of Trooper Lawrence other than allowing himself to maintain his quota by falsifying traffic tickets.

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February 20, 2010

Miami Dade Law Enforcement Official Charged with Felony For Issuing Fake Tickets

plawrence.jpgThe victims of Trooper Paul C. Lawrence, 38, of the Florida Highway Patrol were shocked when they learned that they had pending traffic citations or that suspensions had been issued on their Florida drivers license for failure to appear in court. Most of the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper's victims were not even on the road when the traffic citations were written alleging a slew of traffic violations. Others were not even in the United States when the traffic citations were issued.

The Trooper now faces 22 counts of official misconduct, a third degree felony. So far, over 211 traffic citations written by Lawrence have been dismissed. It appears as though the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper used information from previous traffic stops in order to manufacture the false citations. According to the Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson, "there is no incentive for him to do that because Florida Highway Patrol does not use a quota system."

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