If lawsuit moves forward, Orlando red light offenders may get money back

ORLANDO, Fla. — Red light cameras are designed to keep drivers from running the red by issuing hefty fines. But in Orlando, many drivers are fighting back and if a class action suit moves forward it could cost the city millions.

A couple months ago, Jim Cerda said he thought a yellow traffic light had him in the all-clear, but he was wrong.

“Get on the other side. You still get dinged. Cost you $156,” said Cerda.

It’s a hefty fine attorneys are trying to get refunded for thousands of drivers in Orlando.

“Orlando instituted an ordinance that we appealed in all the way to the Supreme Court,” said attorney David Kerner. “Eventually it was found to be unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court.”

The push applies to drivers who were cited between 2008 and 2010.

That’s when attorneys argue the city of Orlando didn’t have full authorization from the state to issue red light camera traffic tickets and ultimately collect money from the imposed fines.

“The city of Orlando has taken a position that they’re entitled to keep those funds because everybody voluntarily paid their ticket,” Kerner said.

Numbers from the city show during that time frame, nearly 50,000 tickets were issued, and the total collected was close to $5 million.

Kerner said it could have statewide implications.

“Which is over, I believe, $25 million in illegal fines that have been kept by various cities,” he said.

After a two-hour hearing Wednesday, an Orange County judge said she’ll decide within 60 days whether the class suit will be certified to move forward.

Attorneys said if the judge certified the suit, and there’s no argument from the city of Orlando, they’d move quickly to get refunds to those affected.

Cox Media Group