New Orleans was just caught issuing millions of illegal speeding tickets that may have been illegal under Louisiana state law. This issue has escalated to the point where the Louisiana Attorney General is now demanding that all fines be paid back to drivers who had paid them.
How the Ticket Scandal Began
The dispute originated from the installation of speed cameras in school zones in New Orleans. In 2024, a law was passed in Louisiana stipulating that the city must have a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with local school systems before any school zone cameras are activated. The agreement would specify how revenue collected from tickets would be shared.
According to a WDSU investigation, cameras were still operating throughout the fall of 2024 and into the 2025 school year, even though the CEA agreement was put in place. It was reported that thousands of tickets, totaling more than $2 million in fines, were issued despite the lack of proper authorization.
State Officials Step In
Liz Murrill, Louisiana’s Attorney General, has taken a firm stance, saying that drivers should not be fined outside the law. She has also warned that further actions will be taken against involved officials if the situation is not resolved. Murrill is also advocating for the reimbursement of all fines. So far, no reimbursements have been issued.
New Orleans Pushes Back
According to city officials, the state law is unconstitutional and it violates New Orleans’ Home Rule Charter, which gives the city authority over its own operations. In a lawsuit filed in September 2025, the city alleged that the state has failed to prove that the law protects the broader interests of the state. The lawsuit also accused lawmakers of overstepping.
The city officials also insisted that speed cameras not only generated revenue but played a critical role in reducing speeding in school zones, thereby enhancing the safety of children. This enhanced the safety of children.
In August, New Orleans announced that no speeding camera tickets would be issued in the city until school zones comply with the law. Cameras outside school zones have been deactivated. Only red-light cameras are active and issuing citations.
Drivers Caught in the Middle
Although the city has acknowledged that more than $2 million were collected in fines, drivers are yet to know if they will get refunds. Many drivers feel the city operated outside the state law knowingly and are waiting for the city to act after the Attorney General demanded that all fines be paid back to all drivers involved.
The Legal Battle Ahead
This is just the beginning of the legal battle between New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. While city officials argue that the cameras are legal and necessary to enhance safety, especially for school children, lawmakers and the Attorney General argue that the laws were illegal and that the fines should be refunded.
Although the new speed cameras tickets have been stopped, drivers should know that the red-light cameras are still operational. The lawsuit is still ongoing, and its outcome will determine if the city keeps its authority over automated traffic enforcement or whether the state will have control.
Conclusion
The showdown unfolding in New Orleans involving speed cameras has left thousands of drivers questioning both the city’s judgement and the state’s oversight. What started as a measure to improve safety has now turned into a multimillion-dollar lawsuit that has prompted the Attorney General to ask for refunds while city officials fight back to defend their authority.
Drivers are caught in a state of uncertainty until the dispute is resolved by the courts. They hope that their money, which they paid through unlawful fines, will be returned. The outcome of the case will determine how traffic laws are enforced not only in the city but also statewide.