DENVER -- The photo-radar system for speeding tickets remains suspended and outstanding tickets will be voided while city lawyers work with police to fix what a judge said are illegal holes in the program.

Assistant City Attorney Jim Thomas said police, not a private contractor, should have reviewed photos of alleged speeders.

County Judge Mary Celeste dismissed four speeding tickets in January after saying the photo-radar program illegally gave police powers to a private contractor, who prepared and sent the summonses.

The program also violates state law by appearing to compensate the contractor based on the volume of tickets issued, Celeste said.

The program was suspended last week to bring the program into compliance, city officials said.

Thomas said the problems are being remedied. He said city lawyers will also ask the judge to clarify her ruling.

The city then intends to use photo radar again, he said.

Denver uses cameras in white roadside vans to catch on film speeding motorists and their license plates. Tickets are then mailed to the violators

Boulder and Fort Collins also use photo radar to catch speeders. Boulder officials said they keep the power of writing tickets in the police department.