HB815 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

James L. Thomas

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Yusuf Salaam

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Selma, motor vehicles, automated traffic infraction device, use for red light enforcement authorized, procedures, posting of informational signs, civil fines, record keeping by Criminal Justice Information Center, appeals, Selma Red Light Safety Act

Summary

HB815 lets Selma use automated red-light cameras to enforce traffic signals as civil violations, making vehicle owners presumptively liable and creating a structured system of notices, fines, appeals, and a private action against the actual driver.

What This Bill Does

The City of Selma may operate a photographic traffic signal enforcement system to issue civil fines for red-light violations. The vehicle owner shown in the recorded violation is presumptively liable, with procedures to contest liability; fines are limited to $100 and include a $10 CJIC fee, plus possible municipal court costs, and penalties are civil only (not criminal). The process includes mailed notices, an administrative adjudication in Selma Municipal Court with a potential appeal to the Dallas County Circuit Court for trial de novo, and rules for evidence, hearings, and enforcement.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners whose registered vehicle is recorded running a red light in Selma and who may be billed a civil fine, with the ability to contest liability.
• The City of Selma and its local courts (Selma Municipal Court and the Dallas County Circuit Court on appeal), which administer notices, hearings, fines, and the appellate process, as well as enforcement personnel and trained technicians operating the system.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes Selma to adopt automated photographic traffic signal enforcement as civil violations with penalties enforced through civil fines, not criminal penalties.
• Owner of the vehicle shown in the violation is presumptively liable for the civil fine; procedures are provided to contest liability.
• Civil fines are capped at $100; municipal court costs are assessed in contested cases, plus a $10 fee to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center; fines are not recorded as criminal convictions and do not affect insurance.
• Notice of violation must be mailed to the owner within 30 days of the recording, must include images and details, and explain how to pay or contest; receipt is presumed on the 10th day after mailing.
• Appeals may be filed to the Dallas County Circuit Court for trial de novo, with the city providing representation; enforcement may be stayed during the appeal.
• The city may post signs at road entry points and conduct public notices and awareness campaigns before use; devices may be relocated or decoys may be used; public notices are required for intersections where devices are located.
• The system requires trained technicians to verify violations and declares that evidence such as images and affidavits may be admitted with certain protections; certain issues of identity may affect weight but not admissibility.
• A private action is allowed for the person who paid the civil fine against the actual operator of the vehicle to recover the amount paid plus damages and attorney fees, with conditions requiring a written reimbursement demand and a two-year limit for filing suit.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Dallas County