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Boston Attorney To Challenge Constitutionality Of Fees To Fight Traffic Tickets

BOSTON (CBS) - A Boston attorney is set to go before the state Supreme Court this week to challenge the constitutionality of the fees imposed on drivers who are fighting traffic tickets.

Attorney Ralph Sullivan paid $25 to see a clerk magistrate and $50 to see a judge to fight a $100 marked lane violation he got in 2009. He was cleared of the violation, but he's not letting the state off the hook.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports.

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"It's the wrong way to derive money from the citizenry and to support the courts," said Sullivan.

He wants his money back as a matter of principle, as he believes the fees are against the state's constitution.

"Under our Massachusetts constitution, drafted by John Adams, in which Article 11 said Massachusetts residents should be able to obtain justice without having to pay for it, and that's the essence of the argument that I'm making about this fee," said Sullivan.

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