Control: Health, Public Safety & Intergovernmental Cmte
File Name: CHIEF JUDGE JOEL BROWN RE: MAGISTRATE/ RED LIGHT CAMERAS
Introduced: 8/18/2010
Requester:
NONE
Cost:
Final Action:
Agenda Date:
Agenda Item Number:
Notes:
Title:
CHIEF JUDGE JOEL BROWN RE: MAGISTRATE/ RED LIGHT CAMERAS
Indexes:
NONE
Sponsors:
Sally A. Heyman, Prime Sponsor
Sunset Provision:
No
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Registered Lobbyist:
None Listed
Legislative History
Acting Body
Date
Agenda Item
Action
Sent To
Due Date
Returned
Pass/Fail
Health, Public Safety & Intergovernmental Cmte
9/16/2010
1D4
Presented
REPORT:
Assistant County Attorney Gerald Sanchez read the foregoing discussion item into the record.
Judge Joel Brown, Chief Judge, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, appeared before the HPSIC and introduced Trial Administrator Sandra Larnagin and County Court Judge Victoria Delpino. He presented a number of issues regarding the foregoing red light cameras. He urged Committee members to consider the impact of the red light camera program on the court system and what would be needed to enforce this new law. Chief Judge Brown expressed concern that this proposal would result in 500,000 citations and over 50,000 court cases. If approved, he noted he anticipated an increase the number of court hearings per week by 30,and the number of Magistrates by 10, at an estimated cost of $100,000, He said a budget appropriation must be attached to this proposal if approved.
Chairwoman Heyman asked Assistant County Attorney Jess McCarty to work with Chief Judge Joel Brown to provide a breakdown of the estimated 50,000 court cases, specifically the number of cases involving citations for running red lights versus citations for making right turns due to insufficient stop time or a rolling stop.
Chairwoman Heyman also asked Assistant County Attorney McCarty to explore the possibility of adding concessions for the County or through Article V for the courts as a State Agency, to assist in the insurmountable challenges on the courts pursuant to this Legislation.
Commissioner Sosa requested Assistant County Attorney Jess McCarty to prepare a resolution under her sponsorship urging the Florida Legislature to review the new red light law, right turns on red lights and to review providing financial assistance from the State of Florida to the court system and other departments in order to handle the cost of additional court cases.
Commissioner Barreiro pointed out that the cities and municipalities that would implement the red light cameras program would receive 100 percent of the local distribution, but the County would be responsible for funding the courts.
Following further discussion, Chief Judge Joel Brown noted the facilities of the courts system had limited space to conduct the hearings and some of them would have to be held in the respective City Commission Chambers or hearing rooms, which would increase the cost..
Commissioner Rolle clarified that the increased court expenses totaling $100,000 could not be absorbed by the courts.
Responding to Chairwoman Heyman’s inquiry regarding how the percentage of revenue generated from traffic tickets were distributed, Assistant County Attorney McCarty noted if the City issued the traffic tickets, a percentage of the revenue collected from tickets would be shared by the City and the State.
Chairwoman Heyman noted in pursuant to Article IV of the Charter, the County would be responsible for court administration obligations and a percentage of the revenue collected from those tickets should go towards the County.
County Manager
8/18/2010
Referred
Health, Public Safety & Intergovernmental Cmte
9/16/2010
Legislative Text
There is no text currently available online for this item.
