Traffic Cameras Unlawful in South Carolina
Unlike many other states, South Carolina has upheld the challenge to traffic cameras. Pursuant to South Carolina Gen. Stat. 56-7-35(A)(4), speeding tickets may not be given in South Carolina based on photographic evidence.
However, a driver in South Carolina can still be ticketed for running a red light by a police officer who witnesses the violation. If you were charged with a red light ticket in South Carolina, our experienced traffic attorneys offer a free consultation on how we can help. Learn the facts before simply paying a red light ticket.
CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION
Stop Light Ticket Defense Attorney
SECTION 56-7-35 Uniform traffic ticket for speeding or disregarding traffic control device; incident to and contemporaneous with traffic stop; delivery; use of photographic evidence; exception for toll collection violation
(A)(1) A law enforcement officer who issues a uniform traffic ticket for a violation of a local ordinance or traffic laws relating to speeding must do so incident to and contemporaneous with a traffic stop.
(2) A copy of the citation must be given directly to the offender by the law enforcement officer issuing the citation at the time of the traffic stop for the offense.
(3) A law enforcement agency may not utilize the United States mail, a parcel delivery service, electronic means, or otherwise to send to the operator or owner of a motor vehicle or motorcycle, as defined in Section 56-3-20, a uniform traffic citation alleging a violation of a local ordinance or the traffic laws relating to speeding. This subsection does not prohibit the law enforcement agency from sending the operator or owner an additional copy of a uniform citation that was issued to the operator or owner during the traffic stop for the offense upon request of the operator or owner.
(4) A uniform traffic citation alleging the violation of a local ordinance or the traffic laws relating to speeding may not be issued based in whole or in part upon photographic evidence, whether gathered in conjunction with radar speed detection devices and whether the camera or other electronic device capturing the photographic evidence was attended or unattended at the time it captured the photographic evidence. This section does not prohibit the use of photographic or video evidence at any hearing related to the offense to corroborate the testimony of a law enforcement officer who personally observed the offense.
