Contesting a camera-enforced red-light ticket in the Bakersfield Courthouse with a traffic ticket lawyer could save you the $490 fine and nearly $2,800 in auto insurance increases.
Why These Tickets Feel So Frustrating
A camera-enforced traffic ticket can feel unfair. You were not pulled over. You had no chance to explain. The notice just appeared in your mail weeks later. That delay alone makes it hard to remember what happened or who was actually driving.
The fine is also a shock. A standard bumper stop in Bakersfield costs about $238. A camera-enforced violation is closer to $490. Traffic Violator School (TVS) can add almost $100 in additional fees if you’re eligible. Always discuss TVS attendance with a traffic attorney before pleading guilty and paying the fine, fees, and tuition.
Insurance increases hit even harder. According to Bankrate.com, the average Bakersfield driver pays $2,925 for full coverage with their 20% good driver discount intact, losing it often adds $585 yearly.
The risk associated with “running a red light” adds another 12% or $350 more. Many Bakersfield drivers pay close to $3,850 per year after paying the fine for a red light.
Granted, you could pay less. These estimates are based on the average. For instance, a family with a teenager on their policy typically pays 130% more than the average, or nearly $4,000 more.
Common Red-Light Violations
Drivers can face several red-light offenses at intersections like California Avenue and Stockdale Highway or Ming Avenue and Ashe Road, where cameras are active. These include:
·Not yielding before turning right on red
·Entering an intersection on a red arrow
·Ignoring a flashing red
·Failing to stop at a disabled signal
·Disobeying posted signal warnings
·Camera-enforced red-light captures
We hear these concerns often, and we help drivers understand why the citation happened and how to contest it.
Understanding the Camera System
Many drivers ask, “Why did the camera flash when the light was yellow?”
The system activates only when your vehicle enters the intersection after the light turns red.
Yellow light timing follows statewide rules based on the street’s speed limit established in Caltrans’ CA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD).
However, the system is not perfect, and the timing could be off.
If the camera did not capture a clear image of the driver, the owner may contest the citation. That argument is strongest with support from a traffic ticket attorney. A traffic ticket attorney doing their job should usually be able to get a dismissal, if someone else was driving, without giving up their identity. Other defenses can also apply.
Possible Defenses for a Red-Light Camera Ticket
We often see successful defenses when:
1.The driver or registration plate cannot be clearly identified.
2.The camera malfunctioned.
3.The images or video were not reviewed by a qualified officer.
4.The driver entered to avoid a collision or road rage threat.
We advise clients not to identify the driver without consulting a traffic attorney. Law enforcement must prove who was driving the vehicle. When the evidence is unclear, dismissal is possible.
Contesting a Camera-Enforced Red-Light Ticket with a Traffic Attorney
We encourage drivers to ask us if it is worthwhile to contest one of these citations. If the photo is blurry or other evidence is weak, you stand a good chance of getting it dismissed.
However, typically, the best outcome is obtained when a traffic attorney familiar with the citations represents the driver in court.
For instance, if the actual driver was your teenage son or daughter, and the judge or officer representing the department using the red light cameras, asks you who was driving, you can be put in an uncomfortable situation.
We speak plainly with our clients. A camera ticket is serious. It affects auto insurance premiums long-term. But Bakersfield drivers do have options, and we want them to understand each one.
Talk to Bigger & Harman About Contesting a Camera-Enforced Red-Light Ticket
If you get a ticket in mail, call Bigger & Harman about contesting a camera-enforced red-light ticket in Bakersfield Courthouse.
To set up an initial consultation to determine your options, call us at (661) 349-9300—para Español 859-1177.
We can determine your eligibility for TVS, advise you about the possibility of “winning,” represent you in court, and possibly avoid massive auto insurance premium increases.
We offer a free consultation to get started—use our convenient contact form or email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section
Q: Is contesting a camera-enforced red-light ticket in Bakersfield worth it?
A: Many tickets get dismissed if the driver cannot be identified, the camera malfunctioned, or if there are other factors that could lead to a dismissal in the interests of justice or a lack of evidence as to that particular charge.
Q: Do I have to reveal who was driving my car at the time of the ticket?
A: That can be a tough question. Although the state bears the “burden of proof,” if you’re asked directly by the judge or officer, you can refuse but it could cause consequences. Therefore, hiring a traffic attorney might be the best option.
Q: Isn’t it cheaper to just pay the fine for a red-light ticket?
A: Hiring a lawyer might be about the same as the fine, but the increased auto insurance after a paid fine could cost younearly $2,800 more over the three years the ticket could stay on your driving record.
References:
The Bakersfield City list of Photo Enforced Intersections.
The Bankrate.com article, Average cost of car insurance in CA for 2025.
Caltrans’ CA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD).
CA VC Section 21453, Offenses Relating to Traffic Devices.