Traffic Camera Tickets: Valid In Miami-Dade County?

Red light cameras are a common sight in Miami, Florida, and are part of the state's automated law enforcement system. These cameras are designed to detect when a driver runs a red light and capture their license plate, leading to a ticket being sent to the vehicle's owner. While these tickets are generally valid, there have been legal questions surrounding the use of third-party contractors to install and monitor these cameras. Additionally, a recent ruling by a County Court Judge has threatened the future of red light camera tickets in Miami-Dade County, stating that all cities within the county should have consistent rules for enforcing red light camera violations. This ruling is not final and only applies to certain cities within the county, but it highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the use of camera-based traffic enforcement.

Red light camera tickets

Red light cameras are part of Florida's system of automated law enforcement. These cameras are placed at intersections to ensure that drivers don't run red lights. When a driver runs a red light, the camera automatically detects this and takes a picture of the car's license plate. The state can then send a ticket to the owner of the car.

There are 96 red light cameras in Miami, spread out across various intersections. These cameras are easy to spot, as they are large and mounted on poles facing the intersection. The presence of these cameras has sparked some controversy, as they are monitored and operated by third-party contractors rather than the police. However, the Florida Supreme Court has ruled that these cameras and the resulting citations are valid.

If you receive a red light camera ticket in Miami-Dade County, you can pay it online, by mail, or by phone. The registered owner of the vehicle must make the payment, and walk-in payments are not accepted. The cost of a red light camera ticket is typically around $20, and it is considered a civil infraction rather than a criminal one. This means that it is not punishable by incarceration and does not result in points against your driver's license.

It's important to note that you may be able to contest a red light camera ticket if you can prove you weren't driving the car at the time. Additionally, these cameras are not perfect and can produce false positives, especially if your front wheels cross the stop bar but your back wheels don't. In such cases, you may not be ticketed.

Speed cameras near schools

In 2023, Florida authorized the installation of speed cameras in school zones, and local governments are preparing to install the devices outside schools. Miami-Dade County is expected to make millions of dollars a year from the citations. The $100 automated citations will be issued to drivers going at least 11 mph over the posted school zone limit.

Miami-Dade County has predicted that RedSpeed, a national camera operator, will collect nearly $12 million a year from a $20 payout per ticket. RedSpeed will install the cameras in 206 schools in Miami-Dade located outside city limits. The cameras are forecast to generate about 600,000 citations each year in Miami-Dade.

Critics of the 2023 state law allowing the school-zone cameras in Florida argue that its main purpose is to generate revenue for camera operators at the expense of motorists, with blanket enforcement by machine. Mark Gold, founder and chief executive of the Ticket Clinic, a Miami-based law firm, stated:

> "If this is supposed to be a deterrent, then you need to give the person points [instead of just a fine]."

However, supporters of the proposal, including Miami−Dade Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez, argue that the proposal will bolster the safety of local schoolchildren. Rodriguez stated:

> "This is something that will ultimately save lives. And in doing so, I'm a big advocate for that. This only applies to violators. And if you don't want to get cited, if you don't want to pay a citation, then don't break the law."

In addition to speed cameras near schools, Miami-Dade has also implemented school bus cameras that catch and fine drivers who don't stop for school buses. In the first two weeks of school in 2024, more than 11,500 drivers received citations thanks to the district's new camera system.

Traffic cameras vs. red light cameras

While traffic cameras and red-light cameras both monitor driving, they have distinct purposes, placements, and functions.

Traffic Cameras

Traffic cameras, also known as traffic sensor cameras or traffic monitoring cameras, are video cameras that oversee general traffic conditions. They are typically placed on major roads such as highways, freeways, expressways, and arterial roads. Traffic cameras are often connected by optical fibres buried alongside or under the road and can be powered by electricity, solar panels, or alternative sources. These cameras capture lower-resolution videos and can be remotely controlled to focus on specific areas or incidents. The footage from traffic cameras is usually not archived or used for accident investigations but is instead utilised for monitoring systems to measure travel times or study traffic patterns.

Red-Light Cameras

Red-light cameras, on the other hand, are automated ticket-issuing systems placed at busy intersections to detect when a motorist enters an intersection on a red light. These cameras capture multiple images of the car and its license plate during the violation. Within a few weeks, the motorist receives a ticket in the mail. Red-light cameras are typically bulkier than other camera systems and consist of a large camera box with two external flashes, often mounted separately on poles near intersections. Multiple red-light cameras are often installed at each intersection to capture different angles.

Key Differences

The primary distinction between traffic cameras and red-light cameras lies in their purpose and function. Traffic cameras are monitoring systems used to study traffic patterns and measure travel times, while red-light cameras are automated enforcement tools that issue tickets for red-light violations. Red-light cameras are placed at busy intersections and are focused on capturing images of vehicles and their license plates, whereas traffic cameras are typically installed on major roads to capture video footage of general traffic conditions. Additionally, red-light cameras result in tickets and potential administrative consequences, whereas traffic cameras are solely for observation and do not lead to any legal repercussions.

Contesting a ticket in court

In Miami-Dade County, Florida, you can contest a traffic ticket by notifying the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's office in writing within 30 days of receiving the citation to request a hearing. You can submit your written request in person, online, or by mail. Your request should include your citation number and your complete mailing address. If more than 30 days have passed since the ticket was issued and you have not notified the office, you must submit a $16 late fee and a $7 compliance letter fee with your request for a hearing.

After submitting your request, you will need to attend a mandatory pretrial hearing either in person or via video conference. At the pretrial hearing, you will have the opportunity to speak to the hearing officer, but no witnesses or law enforcement officers will be present. If your case is not resolved after the pretrial hearing, a trial will be scheduled, and you will be assigned a date and location.

If you are unable to appear at the court date you have been assigned, you may file an Affidavit of Defense to stand in your place. This form must be printed, filled out, and notarized, with any relevant evidence attached. A $7 check or money order made payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County, should also be mailed along with the affidavit.

Paying a ticket

Camera-generated traffic tickets are valid in Miami-Dade County, Florida. If you receive a ticket, you have 30 days from the date of issuance to satisfy your obligation. Here are the ways you can pay a ticket:

Pay Online

You can pay online using Visa, Discover, MasterCard, or American Express through the Traffic Online System. If you have a red light camera violation, you can pay online at www.Violationinfo.com using your Mastercard, Visa, Discover debit or credit card, or by electronic check.

Pay by Mail

You can mail a check or money order, payable to the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller Traffic/Misdemeanor Division, or the City of Miami Springs (for red light camera violations) to the following addresses, depending on the type of violation:

Clerk of the Court and Comptroller

Traffic/Misdemeanor Division

PO BOX 19321

Miami, Florida 33101-9321

City of Miami Springs

Payment Processing Center

PO Box 35131

Seattle, WA 98124-5131

Pay by Phone

You can pay by phone by contacting the Traffic/Misdemeanor Division 24-hour Interactive Voice Response System at 305-275-1111. For red light camera violations, call toll-free at 1-866-225-8875 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. There is a $4 convenience fee for this payment method.

Pay in Person

You can pay in person at the following locations:

• Joseph Caleb Center Court
• Coral Gables District Court
• Hialeah District Court
• Miami Beach District Court
• North Dade Justice Center
• South Dade Justice Center
• Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building

It is recommended that you schedule an appointment before visiting to avoid delays and that you avoid lunch hours as the office will not be fully staffed during this time.

Frequently asked questions