Speed Cameras Survive Maryland Court Challenge

The cameras may be illegal, but the law provides no cause of action

The highest court in Maryland sent speed camera opponents back to the drawing board Tuesday. The Maryland Court of Appeals (the equivalent of the state supreme court) found a class action lawsuit could not be filed to force county governments to follow state law governing the use of speed cameras.

Timothy Leahy, the attorney representing ticketed drivers, had filed the suit in 2008 as a class action arguing Montgomery County and other jurisdictions violate a specific statute banning contingent-fee contracts. The county pays Affiliated Computer Services (ACS, now owned by Xerox) $16.25 per citation. Leahy insisted this was flat-out unlawful.