Des Moines Automated Traffic Citation Tax-Offset Class Action
City of Des Moines · Automated traffic enforcement camera citations and Iowa income-tax offset collections
Drivers challenged Des Moines' use of Iowa's income-tax offset program to collect automated traffic enforcement camera citations without first establishing liability through municipal infraction proceedings. A district court ordered restitution to remaining class members on September 16, 2026; the city is considering its next step, so the litigation remains ongoing.
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Settlement Claim
Generally, the certified class covers vehicle owners who received a Des Moines automated-traffic-enforcement speeding notice from February 9, 2015 onward, where the City did not first obtain a municipal-infraction judgment in Iowa District Court. Subclass 1 concerns notices of offset where funds had not yet been collected; Subclasses 2 and 3 concern funds withheld through Iowa's offset program, including people who paid after being notified or whose funds were ultimately withheld. Individuals who successfully appealed the citation after receiving the offset notice are excluded.
- Type
- Settlement Claim
- Claim status
- No action required
- Payout
- The September 16, 2026 ruling ordered restitution for class members whose Iowa tax refunds or other payments were withheld to satisfy Des Moines automated-traffic-enforcement fines, including people who paid after the offset hold and people whose funds were ultimately withheld. The official class notice states that Subclass 1 receives injunctive relief rather than monetary damages. The amount and payment procedure have not been published or verified.