Suffolk County Red-Light Camera Fee Settlement — Do You Qualify?

A proposed settlement would resolve McGrath v. Suffolk County, et al., Index No. 608155/2016, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Suffolk County. Plaintiff Robert McGrath Jr. alleges that Suffolk County and the Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violation Agency charged an unlawful $30 administrative fee in addition to the fine for red-light camera violations. The case concerns that added fee, not the underlying determination that a red-light violation occurred. Suffolk County is the local government for the eastern portion of Long Island, New York. The Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violation Agency administers traffic and parking matters, including red-light camera violations. Drivers and vehicle owners typically interacted with the agency through violation notices and payment of fines and related charges. Their role matters because county records identify the people or entities that paid the disputed $30 administrative fees and the number of fees tied to each potential claim. The plaintiff says New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1111-b limited liability for a red-light camera violation to $50 and that the additional $30 administrative fee imposed excess liability. The official FAQs state that the trial court declared the administrative fees illegal and enjoined, meaning legally prohibited, the county defendants from imposing them. The county defendants are pursuing appellate review of certain rulings and deny the merits of the allegations and any wrongdoing. The proposed settlement addresses cash recovery for class members while avoiding the cost and risk of continued litigation. Final approval has not yet been granted. The settlement class includes all people or entities that paid a $30 administrative fee to the county defendants for a red-light camera program violation from April 1, 2013 through the present. The assigned trial or appellate judges and their immediate families are excluded, as are people who validly opt out. The official site allows a claim on behalf of a deceased class member, but supporting documents such as a death certificate and proof of authority to act for the estate are required. If the court approves the agreement, Suffolk County will provide up to $45 million for valid class-member claims. A claimant may receive up to $36 for each qualifying $30 administrative fee paid during the claim period. The amount can be reduced pro rata if valid claims exceed the $45 million maximum. "Pro rata" means the available benefit pool is divided proportionately so total payments do not exceed the cap. The published terms therefore do not guarantee $36 for every fee. County records supplied to the administrator determine the number of fees shown in a class member's notice. A Class Member ID is used to submit a claim. A person who did not receive or cannot locate the ID can request it through the official site's Contact Us page. If the notice lists the wrong number of fees, the claimant may submit records showing additional qualifying payments, preferably including citation numbers or license-plate information. A claimant can file online first and mail supporting documents afterward under the administrator's instructions. The claim deadline is December 8, 2026. Online claims must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern, and mailed forms must be postmarked by that date. The opt-out and objection deadlines are November 9, 2026. Opting out preserves the ability to pursue the released claims separately but gives up settlement benefits. Objecting keeps a person in the class while asking the court not to approve some part of the settlement. A class member who does nothing receives no payment and remains bound by the release if the settlement becomes final. The fairness hearing is scheduled for December 8, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern in the Suffolk County Supreme Court in Riverhead, New York. At that hearing, the court will consider the settlement, attorneys' fees, expenses, and a proposed award to the class representative. The county defendants agreed to pay administration expenses, any court-approved attorneys' fees up to $12.5 million, and a proposed $5,000 representative award separately from the claim fund. Payments can occur only after final approval and any appeals are resolved. The hearing date and payment timing may change.

Valid claimants may receive up to $36 for each qualifying $30 administrative fee paid. The total benefit pool is capped at $45 million. If approved valid claims exceed that amount, each payment may be reduced proportionately. The number of fees in a notice is based on county records. A claimant disputing that number may provide documents showing additional paid fees, including citation or license-plate information when available. Settlement administration, court-approved attorneys' fees, and the class-representative award are to be paid separately under the agreement.