Suffolk County has agreed to a $57.5 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit over administrative fees that were improperly added to red-light camera tickets for nearly a decade.

The settlement covers motorists who received red-light camera violations between 2013 and 2023, when the county charged a $30 administrative fee on top of the standard $50 traffic fine. In 2024, a New York appellate court ruled that the additional surcharge was not authorized under state law.

Under the agreement, eligible drivers can receive up to $36 per ticket, representing the $30 fee plus interest. The final amount each claimant receives could be lower depending on how many people submit claims, as the total settlement fund is capped at $57.5 million.

The lawsuit was first filed in 2016, challenging the legality of the fee imposed during the administration of former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. Plaintiffs’ attorney Christopher Clayton said the settlement fairly compensates affected drivers while avoiding further years of litigation.

Of the settlement, up to $45 million will be paid directly to eligible motorists, with the remaining funds covering administrative costs and $12.5 million in attorneys’ fees. Drivers who qualify will receive notices by mail with instructions on how to file a claim.

Current County Executive Ed Romaine shut down Suffolk’s red-light camera program in December 2024, shortly after the appellate court determined the fee was illegal.

A similar legal dispute remains unresolved in neighboring Nassau County, where motorists were charged significantly higher surcharges on red-light camera tickets. That lawsuit seeks roughly $400 million in refunds and is currently on appeal. While Nassau has eliminated its additional fees and now charges only the $50 base fine, its red-light camera enforcement program remains in effect.