Man wins challenge on traffic-camera issue

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

A driver who challenged the way Cleveland handles traffic camera tickets has won a jurisdiction issue but couldn’t get his fine overturned.

The 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals ruled Thursday the city must allow motorists to fight tickets in Municipal Court, not before a hearing officer as it’s been handled.

The court says Cleveland’s system violates the requirement that tickets come under Municipal Court. Sam Jodka of Columbus sued over how Cleveland handles challenges of ticket fines up to $200.

He lost a bid to get reimbursed for his fine because he didn’t challenge it. His attorney tells The Plain Dealer in Cleveland that he expects to appeal the fine issue.

An email from city spokeswoman Maureen Harper says the Cleveland Law Department is reviewing the ruling.