TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in February in a battle about a red-light camera program in the city of Aventura that could have broader implications across the state.
The court issued an order Monday that scheduled oral arguments for Feb. 7.
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The case, like others, focuses on whether Aventura gave too much authority to a private company that contracted to help run the red-light camera program.
The 3rd District Court of Appeal upheld the Aventura program in a decision involving a motorist who received a ticket for improperly turning right at a red light. In challenging the ticket, motorist Luis Torres Jimenez contended the city had illegally given "unfettered discretion" to a red-light camera company to review images of potential violations and to print and send out citations.
While the 3rd District Court of Appeal sided with Aventura, it also urged the Supreme Court to take up the case, saying the "lawful use of cameras to enforce red lights has attracted the attention of the public, local governments, and the Legislature.”
Red-light cameras have long been controversial, and the Florida House has started moving forward with a bill (HB 6001) for the 2018 session that would repeal a state law that allows local governments to use the cameras.