License plate reading technology is becoming more and more prevalent, especially when it comes to traffic enforcement and automobile repossession. Also, cameras are now watching intersections for drivers running red lights, and even alerting tow truck drivers if a vehicle is under a repossession order. Thomas A. Corletta, Attorney at Law, is Rochester, New York’s best source for personalized legal advice. The Monroe County lawyer explains how these license plate readers work and why they can often be unreliable.

While there are many different makes of license plate readers, all license plate readers essentially consist of a high-speed camera with sufficient resolution to capture a vehicle's license plate while it’s in motion. A computer algorithm allows the computer to “read” the plate. The camera quality is accurate and improving all the time, but the computer algorithms required to make the system work are very complex and can result in errors.

The “captured” plate number is then run through DMV databases and if a “hit” is recorded, showing either the vehicle registration is suspended or registered owner’s license is suspended, it is immediately displayed on a mobile data terminal in the officer’s car, which results in the vehicle being stopped and often the driver being arrested.

Additionally, where all the data is stored has created privacy concerns, as many People have raised the question of whether the government is using this technology to “track” ordinary citizen’s whereabouts.

In addition, the repossession industry has used the power of this technology in a highly effective way, adapting plate readers to help lenders locate and repossess vehicles. As the tow truck drives through a neighborhood, the plate reader continuously takes images of all visible license plates with a high-speed, infrared camera. This information is then checked against the lender’s database, alerting the driver whether a vehicle under a Repossession Order is nearby.

This technology makes it nearly impossible to hide your vehicle from repossession, if it is kept outside.  If it is placed in a garage, a Court Order is required to enter the garage to repossess it.

Filing for bankruptcy also stops potential repossessions, via the automatic stay.  Turn to Thomas A. Corletta, Attorney at Law, for help. He'll walk you through all of your bankruptcy and traffic ticket defense options.

Visit Thomas A. Corletta, Attorney at Law, online to learn more about his full spectrum of practice areas, or call (585) 546-5072 to schedule a consultation with an experienced lawyer today. If you need help with bankruptcy or traffic charges due to being ticketed through use of a license plate reader, trust this Rochester lawyer to defend your rights.