“This is a Court, Right?”: What Happened in Albany Municipal Court on July 29

On July 29, 2025, I appeared in Albany Municipal Court to contest a camera-issued speeding ticket. Like many in North Albany, I had serious questions about the fairness and clarity of the “school days” speed trap posted near North Albany Middle School—a sign that gives no indication of which school calendar applies, nor how an ordinary citizen is supposed to know when the 20mph limit is enforced.

But the hearing quickly moved beyond the citation itself.

After I raised concerns about due process, vagueness, and the lack of visible signage in the video presented against me, I asked to disqualify the judge for bias. She denied the request as untimely—even though this was a bench trial and I had not had prior notice of the court’s posture.

Then, as I continued cross-examining the city’s representative, Lieutenant Kyle Libra of the Albany Police Department, he abruptly read my full residential address aloud in open court.

This came without warning, and without any challenge to my identity or address. There was no reason to state it publicly. I immediately objected. I asked why it was necessary. His response was:

“This is court, right?”

It felt retaliatory. I had just challenged the legitimacy of the proceeding. And suddenly, my home address, something the court and the officer both had on file, was read into the record for everyone in the courtroom to hear.

This isn’t just about a speeding ticket. It’s about how the law is enforced and whether those who question its application will be treated fairly—or punished.

Why This Matters

I’ve spoken with others who’ve experienced similar confusion and frustration with these speed camera tickets. What happened in court that day reflects something deeper:

• Enforcement with vague standards,

• A courtroom unwilling to meaningfully weigh reasonable doubt, and

• A tone of retaliation and disrespect toward citizens asserting their rights.

Municipal courts are supposed to be about fairness and justice—not revenue, intimidation, or silence.

What’s Next

I plan to include this incident as part of a broader pattern of civil rights violations in a federal suit I’ve filed in Eugene. But for now, I’m documenting what happened here at GI Justice to help others recognize and report similar experiences. If this has happened to you, or someone you know, I want to hear from you.