Suffolk wins speed camera lawsuit, appeal likely

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A judge has ruled in favor of the city of Suffolk in a speed camera lawsuit that challenged how fines are collected from drivers, and whether it is legal.

The city of Suffolk was taken to court by an Isle of Wight County resident who believes Suffolk broke the law by using a third-party vendor and issuing $100 fines, saying the city is not following state law by not using the Virginia uniform summons and the local court system for speeding tickets.

However, the judge said the city, which had claimed sovereign immunity protection that it is operating under its governmental right, was indeed operating in a governmental function when it put up cameras to catch speeders in school and construction zones.

That prohibits the lawsuit from moving forward there.

However, attorney Tim Anderson, who is defending drivers, said he will likely appeal. He has said previously that by working under third parties and doing their work, the city is not covered by sovereign immunity.

He is also waiting on a ruling in a similar order in Chesapeake .

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