Local

Judge rules Orlando's red-light camera ticket system unlawful

ORLANDO, Fla. — The city of Orlando’s red-light camera system may be forced to shut down after a judge found the city wasn’t following the rules.

At this point, the only central Florida city the court ruling applies to is Orlando, but it could eventually have a widespread impact.

For drivers, this means all red-light tickets issued in the program could be thrown out.

A judge found the city wasn’t following the law.

Attorney Kelli Hastings got her ticket in 2013, but she decided to fight it on grounds the city was allowing a private company, America Traffic Solutions, to do the job of police.

“I realized that by looking into it a little further that it was a clear violation of police power,” said Hastings.

According to the ruling, Orlando was allowing the red-light camera company to determine if a violation had occurred, which cities are not allowed to do.

Hastings’ ticket was tossed out, and now all other drivers who have not paid their tickets in Orlando can ask to have theirs dismissed.

WFTV legal analyst Bill Scheaffer said any driver that has an unpaid ticket from the city of Orlando should call an attorney to get their ticket tossed.

“Whether you contest it yourself or hire a lawyer, you need to contest it because it should be thrown out,” Sheaffer said.

Brian Sandor, a Ticket Clinic employee, said there are currently thousands of clients ready to battle Orange County over red-light camera tickets.

“We were confident before, but definitely, today’s decision gives us that extra advantage, having already had a local decision that’s in our favor,” said Sandor.

In a statement, the city downplayed the ruling but did say it is considering an appeal, and that it will not change the way it issued tickets or stop sending out red-light violations.