Are red light cameras legal in Missouri?

Answer 1

Is it legal to go straight through a red light in Missouri? Probably uses the same logic. I don't know about Missouri, but in most states you may make a left hand turn on red IF you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

Answer 2

Depends on who you ask. There is no state authorization for the systems, which under a strict interpretation of Dillon's Rule, would mean the answer is no. However, municipalities hungry for the revenue and political kick backs they bring have been installing them since 2005 absent such authorizing legislation. The General Assembly, while trying annually for an affirmative ban, has been unable to bring it to the floor due to extensive lobbying by the Photo Enforcement Lobby. So, at the moment, the matter rests with the courts. Judge Mark Neill, of the 22nd District (City of St. Louis), just issued a ruling in a case titled Alexa Smith et al v. City of St. Louis 0922-CC10285 which voided the City of St. Louis's Red Light Camera ordinance on both Due Process grounds, as well as grounds that the City of St. Louis did not have statutory authority from the Legislature to take what is a moving violation under state statute and reduce it to a "civil, non-moving violation" in order to get around the need for legislative authorization. he also determined that payment was "voluntary." A copy of said ruling can be found at the appended link labeled "St. Louis Court Ruling".

The City of St. Louis has chosen to defy the Judges ruling, and continue to issue citations through the appeal of the ruling. Regardless, because there is no statutory penalty for a "red light camera" violation, those receiving citations anywhere cannot be arrested, cannot be imprisoned, cannot have their registration revoked, etc. Payment in any Missouri municipality is essentially voluntary as nothing can be done as a result of non-payment. Some threaten collections, however, even then, the worst they can do is send you a letter. They cannot put it on your credit report.

To boot, class action lawsuits are currently pending against multiple Missouri Municipalities who use they systems. Even the Red Light Camera Vendor American Traffic Solutions believes their own systems in Missouri are operating illegally (see link to opinion from red light camera vendor)