This section defines key terms used in the subpart, including city, civil fine, civil violation, owner, photographic speeding enforcement system, speeding violation, and trained technician.
As used in this subpart, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) CITY. The City of Midfield, Alabama. (2) CIVIL FINE. The monetary amount assessed by the City of Midfield pursuant to this act for an adjudication of civil liability for a speeding violation, including municipal court costs associated with the infraction. (3) CIVIL VIOLATION. There is hereby created a non-criminal category of law called a civil violation created and existing for the sole purpose of carrying out the terms of this subpart. The penalty for violation of a civil violation shall be the payment of a civil fine, the enforceability of which shall be accomplished through civil action. The prosecution of a civil violation created hereby shall carry reduced evidentiary requirements and burden of proof as set out in Section 45–37A–331.35, and in no event shall an adjudication of liability for a civil violation be punishable by a criminal fine or imprisonment. (4) OWNER. The owner of a motor vehicle as shown on the motor vehicle registration records of the Alabama Department of Revenue or the analogous department or agency of another state or country. The term shall not include a motor vehicle rental or leasing company when a motor vehicle registered by the company is rented or leased to another person under a rental or lease agreement with the company, in which event owner shall mean the person to whom the vehicle is rented or leased; nor shall the term include motor vehicles displaying dealer license plates, in which event owner shall mean the person to whom the vehicle is assigned for use; nor shall the term include the owner of any stolen motor vehicle, in which event owner shall mean the person who is guilty of stealing the motor vehicle. (5) PHOTOGRAPHIC SPEEDING ENFORCEMENT OR AUTOMATED SPEEDING ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM. A camera system which is designed and installed to work in conjunction with an electrically operated speed detection device synchronized to automatically record digital imaging of a motor vehicle while speeding. The device shall be capable of producing at least two recorded images, at least one of which is capable of clearly depicting the license plate of a motor vehicle that is speeding. (6) SPEEDING VIOLATION. Any violation of a motor vehicle at a speed that exceeds the legal maximum speed limits presented in or adopted pursuant to Article 8, Chapter 5A, Title 32, Sections 32–5A–170 to 32–5A–178, inclusive; provided, however, that speed limits set by action of the Midfield City Council as found in the City Code of the City of Midfield shall supersede the limits set in Article 8, Chapter 5A, Title 32, Sections 32–5A–170 to 32–5A–178, inclusive. A speeding violation shall be a civil violation as defined in this subpart. (7) TRAINED TECHNICIAN. A sworn law enforcement officer employed by the City of Midfield, who alternatively: a. Is a professional engineer in the field of civil engineering. b. Has received instruction and training in the proper use of the automated photographic speeding enforcement system to be used by the city’s traffic engineer or his or her designee. c. Has been trained by the vendor installing the equipment. Under no circumstances shall the salary or other compensation of the trained technician be related to the number of notices of violation issued or amount of fines collected.