Germany: Judge Faces Discipline For Questioning Speed Camera Legitimacy

The Newspaper
by The Newspaper

A veteran district court judge in Herford, Germany was ordered this week not to hear traffic cases after he dared question whether speed camera citations are being issued merely as a means of generating revenue. Judge Helmut Knoner faces two criminal charges for acquitting forty-two motorists last month after noting that the automated ticketing machines lacked a solid legal foundations and appeared to be installed by authorities with questionable motives.

“Many cities and municipalities are feeling the pressure of empty coffers and earn good money with photo radar,” Knoner stated.

The move outraged prosecutors who dubbed Knoner “Judge Accelerator” and pushed to ensure the 62-year-old magistrate would not sit on any traffic cases while his acquittals are brought before an appellate court for review.

“From our perspective Knoner is no longer able to objectively approach the issue,” spokesman Reinhard Baumgart told Westfalischer Anzeiger, “This attitude shows that he is biased.”

Prosecutors pointed to his November 11 appearance on the RTL television show “Stern TV” where the judge spoke candidly about his views on automated ticketing machines being a scam. This was sufficient to raise doubts regarding Knoner’s impartiality. Knoner will fight charges of obstruction of justice and rejects the accusation that he is biased.

“I just have a different view of things,” Knoner told the Westfalen-Blatt newspaper.

Knoner continues to hear cases as a judge in areas unrelated to speeding.

[Courtesy: Thenewspaper.com]

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  • Contrarian Contrarian on Dec 03, 2010

    "Thou shalt not interfereth with our gravy train". Bastards.

  • Daanii2 Daanii2 on Dec 03, 2010

    See what (usually) happens when you start telling people that the Emperor has no clothes.

  • Robert Schwartz Robert Schwartz on Dec 03, 2010

    That is way harsh. I guess German Judges think twice before declaring a law unconstitutional.

  • Tsofting Tsofting on Dec 03, 2010

    Interesting, a European judge who rules against whatever is expected by the rulers. This is crucial information for our American audience; the task and purpose of a judge in any European country is to pretend that there is something called Fair Trial, where a trial is open until judgement is passed based on presented evidence, while the real object is to confirm that any whim from the politicos is in line with law. Believe me, European politicians are not used to being bothered by judges, judges and courts are expected to side with the government, because the government is by definition right. Much is bering said about the US legal system, and much can be said, but when it comes to being independent from the Powers That Be, it sure does on hehelluva lot better job. Kudos the the right honorable Judge Knoner for daring to challenge The System!

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