JOHNSON v. BOWSER et al, No. 1:2024cv03101 - Document 4 (D.D.C. 2024)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM AND OPINION. Signed by Judge Ana C. Reyes on 11/21/2024. (znmw)

Download PDF
JOHNSON v. BOWSER et al Doc. 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JAMES F. JOHNSON, ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Plaintiff, v. MURIEL BOWSER, et al., Defendants. Civil Action No. 24-3101 (UNA) MEMORANDUM OPINION It appears that Plaintiff is the recipient of multiple photo enforcement tickets because a motor vehicle registered in his name was detected speeding and committing other traffic infractions. See generally Compl. (ECF No. 1), Ex. (ECF No. 1-1 at 4, 9, 22-23, 26) (page numbers designated by CM/ECF). It further appears that Plaintiff unsuccessfully contested certain tickets. See, e.g., id., Ex. (ECF No. 1-1 at 9-11, 25). Plaintiff estimates that his fines and penalties total approximately $8,000. See id. at 4. In this action, Plaintiff demands a hearing, see id., and a declaratory judgment, see, e.g., id. at 1, 2, deeming the tickets invalid and dismissing them, see id. at 4. Plaintiff has chosen the wrong forum for adjudication of his claims. A Hearing Examiner conducts a hearing for the adjudication of traffic infractions. See D.C. Code §§ 50-2302.06 (moving infractions), 50-2303.06 (parking, standing, stopping infractions); 18 D.C. Mun. Regs. §§ 1004, 1007, 1041. If the vehicle operator is found liable, he or she may request reconsideration, see D.C. Code § 50-2303.11(a), and if reconsideration is denied, he or she may appeal the Hearing Examiner’s decision to the Traffic Adjudication Appeals Board (“TAAB”) of the District of Columbia Department of Public Works, see D.C. 1 Dockets.Justia.com Code § 50-2304.02(a); 18 D.C. Mun. Regs. §§ 1042.2, 1044. An appeal of the TAAB’s decision goes before the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. See D.C. Code § 50-2304.05. The Court GRANTS Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2), DISMISSES the complaint without prejudice, and DENIES Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of counsel (ECF No. 3) without prejudice as moot. An Order is issued separately. DATE: November 21, 2024 ANA C. REYES United States District Judge 2

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.