While a Broward County judge recently ruled that red-light camera citations are unconstitutional, Lakeland is not currently affected by this decision. Because the ruling came from a county-level court, it only applies to that specific case in Broward and does not automatically change the law for the rest of Florida.
Why the Broward Ruling is Different
On March 3, 2026, Judge Steven P. DeLuca dismissed a ticket in Sunrise, Florida, arguing that the state’s red-light camera law (the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act) violates due process.
- The Issue: The judge ruled that the law unfairly forces the vehicle owner to prove they weren’t driving, rather than requiring the government to prove who was behind the wheel.
- The Classification: He labeled these violations as “quasi-criminal,” meaning the state should have a higher burden of proof—”beyond a reasonable doubt”—to identify the driver.
The Situation in Lakeland
Lakeland is actually moving in the opposite direction. Rather than scaling back, the city is in the middle of a significant expansion of its automated enforcement:
- New Cameras Active: As of January 2026, the City Commission approved eight new red-light camera locations, including busy intersections like Memorial Blvd at Florida Ave and Bartow Rd at New Jersey Rd.
- School Zone Speeding: Lakeland also recently launched its School Zone Speed Safety Program. These cameras began issuing $100 fines (after an initial warning phase) to drivers going more than 10 mph over the limit when school flashers are active.
- Vision Zero: City officials, including Mayor Bill Mutz, maintain that these cameras are a “force multiplier” for the police and a key part of the “Vision Zero” plan to eliminate traffic fatalities.
What’s Next?
For the Broward ruling to affect Lakeland, one of two things would need to happen:
- An Appeal: If the Broward case is appealed and a higher court (like the District Court of Appeal or the Florida Supreme Court) upholds the judge’s decision, it would create a binding precedent for the entire state.
- A Local Challenge: A driver in Polk County would have to challenge a Lakeland ticket using the same constitutional arguments and win in a local court.
Until then, Lakeland’s cameras remain fully operational and citations are still being issued.