Just a Few Days Left on Amnesty Deal for Old Traffic Tickets

Time is running out to take advantage of the 50 percent reduction on qualifying old unpaid traffic infraction tickets. The program ends June 30, but the last court day of the month is June 29.

Superior courts throughout California report that they’ve already resolved thousands of cases and collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid fees and fines from outstanding traffic tickets that were due to be paid in full before Jan. 1, 2009.

The program began Jan. 1. Through mid-May, Marin County Superior Court had collected $25,992, said court administrator Morgan Mattos. The program has been more popular in Central Valley counties; Tulare County had collected $266,000 and Stanislaus County had collected $194,000 through the same period.

“The amnesty program is a golden opportunity for drivers with old unpaid traffic tickets to clear their records at a reduced amount,” said Margie Borjon-Miller, Administrative Office of the Courts. “And it helps the courts, the state, and local governments to generate revenues that would have otherwise gone uncollected.”

While no specific number will be available until after the program concludes, state finance officials estimate that millions of dollars could be collected. A final report to the legislature on the amnesty program is due this fall.

Parking tickets, DUIs, and reckless driving citations are not eligible. Drivers should contact the court in the county where the citation occurred to verify eligibility for the amnesty program. For more information, watch the attached 2-minute video or go to the California Courts website.