Ruling won't stop St. Louis use of cameras

ST. LOUIS (AP) - A St. Louis official says the city will continue to use red-light cameras while it appeals a judge's ruling that the ordinance is invalid.

Circuit Judge Mark Neill issued a preliminary ruling last May saying St. Louis and other municipalities lack authority to use red-light cameras without supporting state legislation.

In a final ruling last week, Neill added that the St. Louis ordinance is unconstitutional because it fails to provide a way for suspected violators to challenge most tickets.

St. Louis City Counselor Patricia Hageman told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/yAXlEK) the ruling was not unexpected and paves the way for the city's appeal.

She says suspected red-light violators will be expected to pay their fines while the case is under appeal.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com