ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Do you have to pay your red-light traffic ticket to keep it off your record? That all depends on who you ask.
The city of Winter Park and the city of Maitland have identical wording on their city websites under Frequently Asked Questions sections that some drivers say is, at best, misleading, and at worst, absolutely false.
It's the question concerning whether a notice of violation will appear on a person's driving record that has some concerned.
LINK: Maitland Traffic Enforcement Camera/Red Light Camera FAQs
LINK: Winter Park Traffic Enforcement Camera FAQs
As an answer to the question, both cities write, "If the violation becomes a Uniformed Traffic Ticket, then it will be recorded on your Driver's License regardless of the outcome of the ticket. Anyone who has the ability to pull your driving history will become aware of the charge if the case becomes an official traffic ticket. If the case is handled at the Notice of Violation stage, it will not be reported on your license."
Traffic attorney Albert Pucylowski talked with 9 Investigates about the wording.
"When I read it, it seems very misleading to the average person who doesn't have any legal background" said Pucylowski. "It seems to indicate if you try and fight this ticket it will end up on your driving record regardless, and that's not true."
Attorneys said if you fight the ticket and are found not guilty or have the ticket dismissed, it will not appear on your driving record, but that is not what the two cities' websites would lead drivers to believe.
"I think the average person is just going to pay the fine," said driver David Shaw. "That's what the camera companies want and that's what the municipalities want."
Shaw is in the midst of fighting his red-light ticket. He said he was shocked when he read Maitland's website, saying he wondered if simply paying the ticket immediately was the only way to keep the ticket off the record.
"It's all about the money," said Shaw. "But still, I'm going to fight it."
The cities said the FAQ section is simply a guide for drivers and if residents have questions they can call in to speak to someone.