BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – More than 24,000 red-light camera ticket cases were dismissed in Broward County Monday after two judges ruled that the program violates the state statute.
The cases were on hold for more than a year over controversy regarding many cities in the county using a third-party company to operate the red-light camera program.
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In the latest case in Fort Lauderdale, a judge's order stated in part, "Based upon testimony and evidence presented, this Court finds that the procedures used by the city of Fort Lauderdale in accordance with its contract with ATS (American Traffic Solutions) violate the requirements of F.S. 316.0083 in that the city's representative does not actually create or issue the Uniform Traffic Citation."
The city manager told Local 10 News that he will meet with Mayor Jack Seiler on Tuesday to discuss the next step.
Last month, dozens of red-light runners who were caught on camera in the city of Hollywood had their cases dismissed.
The move came after a decision by the Fourth District Court of Appeal to not reconsider its October decision which said the city can't rely on its private vendor, ATS, to first review the pictures and videos from the traffic cameras and decide which ones to send to the city so it can issue the violation.
"The court rulings are clear," attorney Ted Hollander told Local 10 News reporter Roger Lohse on Monday. "These cities have been trying to enforce laws but they have been breaking the law instead. They must stop all citations from red-light cameras until they can work in accord with Florida law."
An employee at the clerk of courts office told Local 10 News that the dismissed tickets came from nearly every city in the county.
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