Drivers who paid school-zone camera tickets during the 2024–2025 school year may be eligible for refunds after the Attorney General said the city collected fines without the required revenue-sharing agreements in place.
- Refunds ordered: Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill directed New Orleans to refund school-zone speeding fines issued last school year.
- Why: A 2024 state law requires municipalities to finalize revenue-sharing agreements with school authorities before collecting camera fines.
- How much: Reports suggest at least $1.375 million in net revenue was generated, with some estimates approaching $2 million, now held in escrow.
- What’s next: The city says school-zone cameras are deactivated until agreements are signed; a refund process is expected.
Louisiana’s top prosecutor has told New Orleans to give drivers their money back. The order targets school-zone speeding citations captured by automated cameras during the 2024–2025 school year and stems from a state law that tied camera enforcement to formal revenue-sharing agreements with local school districts. Without those signed agreements, the Attorney General says, the city should not have been collecting fines in the first place.
What the 2024 law requires
The 2024 statute re-framed how automated school-zone enforcement works. Before any municipality can collect fines from speed cameras in a school zone, it must enter into a formal cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA) with the relevant school governing authorities. The CEAs spell out how revenues are split and, crucially, ensure that any remaining funds after operating costs flow directly into classrooms rather than disappearing into general municipal budgets.
New Orleans moved ahead with school-zone camera enforcement for the 2024–2025 school year while those CEAs were still pending. With no finalized agreements in place, the Attorney General determined that the fines should not have been collected, and that any funds taken must be returned to the people who paid them.
Timeline at a glance
| August 1, 2024 | New law takes effect requiring revenue-sharing agreements (CEAs) before collecting any school-zone camera fines. |
|---|---|
| 2024–2025 school year | New Orleans activates school-zone cameras and collects fines while CEAs remain unresolved; money is reportedly held in escrow. |
| Spring 2025 | Reports show substantial camera revenue despite the pending agreements; pressure builds to clarify legality and revenue flow. |
| August 2025 | The Attorney General orders refunds and warns of possible malfeasance charges if cameras are operated without CEAs going forward; the city says school-zone cameras are off until CEAs are in place. |
How much money is involved?
The exact figure won’t be clear until the city releases final numbers, but investigative reports point to substantial sums. Public statements and reporting indicate the city generated at least $1.375 million in net school-zone camera revenue over roughly May 2024 through March 2025. Other outlets, citing sources, say the total collected and held in escrow may approach $2 million. Either way, the order signals seven-figure refunds are on the table for New Orleans drivers who paid school-zone citations during the affected period.
Why the AG acted now
Two things converged. First, the law requiring CEAs took effect ahead of the 2024–2025 school year, yet the city collected fines while those agreements remained unsigned. Second, a follow-on provision that became effective in 2025 empowered prosecutors to pursue malfeasance in office if cities operate school-zone cameras without the required CEAs. In August 2025, the Attorney General formalized the refund order and warned New Orleans leaders that turning cameras back on without agreements could trigger investigations and potential criminal exposure.
Who qualifies for a refund?
If you paid a school-zone speed camera ticket during the 2024–2025 school year, you’re likely in the refund pool—particularly if the citation was issued while no signed CEA existed for your school zone. The city has said school-zone cameras are deactivated until agreements are finalized, which signals a recognition that prior collections may have occurred out of compliance with the statute. Expect guidance on how to claim your refund once the program is announced.
What drivers should do now
- Locate your proof: Gather the notice of violation, payment confirmation, and the date your ticket was issued and paid.
- Watch for official instructions: The city will need to define the refund portal or mail-in process and lay out deadlines and documents required.
- Check your address and email: Refund details could be sent to the address on file with the violation notice; make sure it’s current.
- Dispute status: If your ticket is in collections or unresolved, hold onto all notices. The program should address how those cases will be handled.
Will schools still get funding?
The law’s purpose isn’t to starve enforcement or schools—it’s to ensure transparency and that classrooms benefit. City leaders and school officials have debated the best split of proceeds after operating costs, with proposals landing around a majority share for schools. Once CEAs are signed and cameras are reactivated, revenue should be distributed as outlined in those agreements, rather than routed into general funds.
Safety vs. revenue: a long-running debate
School-zone speed cameras are often justified on safety grounds: slower cars, fewer severe injuries, and better compliance when children are present. Yet when legal guardrails aren’t followed—especially around money—the public reads enforcement as “cash first, safety second.” That perception can undermine compliance and erode trust, even where cameras demonstrably reduce dangerous speeding. New Orleans now has a chance to reset the program with agreements that are transparent, clearly communicated, and credibly focused on safety and student outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the refund order include red-light camera tickets?
- No. The current directive targets school-zone speed camera fines tied to the CEA requirement. City officials have said red-light cameras remain active.
- What if my ticket was issued outside school-zone hours?
- The refund program is expected to focus on school-zone enforcement tied to CEAs. Read the city’s instructions carefully once published; your eligibility will hinge on the time, location, and the status of agreements at that time.
- How will refunds be paid?
- Details are pending. Expect either an online claims portal or automatic refunds where the city can match payees to eligible tickets. Keep your proof of payment handy.
- When could cameras turn back on?
- Once CEAs are finalized and publicly communicated, the city could move to reactivate school-zone cameras. Until then, officials say the cameras are off.
- How do I verify a camera location or report an issue?
- You can research and help maintain public camera knowledge bases. Start with PhotoEnforced.com for maps, categories, and user feedback.
How New Orleans can rebuild trust
To restore public confidence, the city should publish the signed CEAs, clearly list every school-zone camera location, post hours of operation and flashing-beacon schedules, and publish monthly statistics on speeding, citations, and how revenues are split and spent. That transparency will help residents see school-zone enforcement as a safety tool first and a revenue source only within the law’s boundaries.
The driver’s checklist
- Confirm your ticket was a school-zone speed citation and note the date.
- Keep all payment receipts and violation numbers.
- Monitor city announcements for the refund procedure and deadlines.
- If you never paid and your citation is disputed, track the case status and consult the refund guidance when released.
- Drive cautiously in school zones regardless of camera status—speed limits still apply.
For a concise summary of the news development that prompted this article, see the original broadcast reporting from WWL-TV: Louisiana Attorney General orders New Orleans to refund school-zone speeding fines.