While many drivers certainly find red light cameras annoying, for legal experts the problem with the devices concerns whether or not they violate a state statute that prohibits law enforcement from being delegated to a third party. Critics of the third light cameras argue that because most cameras are owned and operated by private companies, that municipalities are illegally delegating law enforcement duties to those private companies.
Appellate judges in Aventura and Oldsmar ruled that the cameras are not illegal and can be used to ticket drivers. However, in Hollywood the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled against the cameras' legality and ordered the program to be shut down. The Florida Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Aventura case and if it issues a ruling it will set a precedent that will overrule conflicting appellate court decisions.