Drivers Get Discount On Unpaid Traffic Tickets

California Superior Courts in all 58 counties are offering a 50 percent off discount on some old unpaid traffic tickets. It’s a limited-time “Amnesty Program” for certain outstanding court debt. More than 6 million cases statewide could qualify.

“This is a win-win,” according to Ronald G. Overholt, Interim AdministrativeDirector of the Courts. “People have an opportunity to clear their traffic tickets at a reduced cost, and the courts and the counties will get an injection of much-needed funds to help maintain critical services for the public.”

The program begins January 1, 2012, and ends June 30, 2012.

Only traffic tickets that were due to be paid before January 1, 2009, are eligible. Parking tickets, driving under the influence (DUI), and reckless driving cases are NOT eligible.

To qualify for the 50 percent discount, all of the following conditions must be met:

• You have an outstanding traffic case that was due to be paid in full before January 1, 2009;
• You either failed to appear in court or failed to pay in full;
• The last date you made a payment was on or before January 1, 2009;
• You don’t owe restitution to a victim on any case within the county were the traffic case was filed;
• You have no outstanding misdemeanor or felony warrants within the county were the traffic case was filed.

Other eligibility requirements may vary from county to county.

After January 1, 2012, contact the superior court in which the violation occurred for further details. Court locations are listed at www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm.

Additional information about the Amnesty Program, authorized by Assembly Bill 1358, is available on the California Courts website: www.courts.ca.gov/partners/941.htm.