I Turned a Routine Traffic Ticket into a Constitutional Trial
I got a red light ticket for a car I no longer own.  I have a receipt of electronic transfer of title dated 6 months before the incident, passport stamps and travel documents proving I was out of the country, and the person in the photo was of the wrong gender and ethnicity.<p>I fought it via mail.  It took multiple round trips.  At each step the potential fine more than doubled.  If I did not respond correctly or in time, I waved my right to appeal.  The appeal paperwork contradicted itself.  (Page 1:  You must do X or we will reject your appeal.  Page 2: You must not do X or we will reject your appeal).  I had to send a passport photo less than 30 days old of myself in, but photos taken with electronic cameras are not allowed.<p>In the end, I sent a letter.  The city of San Francisco is not obligated to inform me of a successful appeal, so either I beat the ticket, or some day (maybe years from now) they will issue a warrant for my arrest.<p>This isn&#x27;t even guilty until proven innocent.  100% of the evidence presented against me proved my innocence, and I will be in legal limbo forever.<p>[edit:  In a special kafka-esque twist, the only reason I was able to fill out the paperwork successfully is because the telephone operator at the SF courthouse took pity on me.  There is a number to call for clarification, but no one picks up that phone.  So, your best bet is to get your legal advice from the operator.]