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Kovach v. District of Columbia

Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia
805 A.2d 957 (2002)

Written by Matt Fyock, JD

Facts

Kovach (plaintiff) was cited for running a red light, which was caught on a traffic camera, and paid the fine. The police department decided to remove the camera because it caught a large number of people running the light, and it agreed to dismiss the fines of those who had been cited but had not yet paid. Kovach brought suit against the District of Columbia (the District) (defendant) for return of $1.5 million in fines that had been collected from motorists who had run the red light. The trial court granted judgment on res judicata grounds, holding that his previous payment of the fine precluded him from contesting the dismissal of the unpaid fines. Kovach appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Ruiz, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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