Have unpaid traffic tickets? Here's a break for you

OFF THE WIRE
For anyone with unpaid traffic tickets due to be paid in full prior to Jan. 1, 2009, this after-Christmas sale may be for you.

According to the Judicial Council of California, a "50 Percent Off Traffic Amnesty Program" begins this month.

Meaning, pay half what you owe and be considered paid in full.

Why?

Because, the Judicial Council explains, a one-time infraction amnesty program would provide relief to individuals who have found themselves in violation of a court-ordered obligation because they are financially unable to pay traffic bail or fines. It would provide increased revenue at a time when revenue is scarce by encouraging payment of old fines that have remained unpaid and allow courts and counties to resolve older delinquent cases and focus limited resources on collecting on more recent cases.

This program is for:

* Drivers with outstanding traffic tickets that was due to be paid in full before January 1, 2009. All of the following also must apply:

* 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 who don't owe restitution to a victim on any case in the county where the traffic case was filed.

* You who have no outstanding misdemeanor or felony warrants in the county where the traffic case was filed.

* Other eligibility requirements may vary from county to county.

The California Legislature mandated via Assembly Bill 1358 that all 58 counties implement a one-time amnesty period that allows a lump sum payment of 50 percent of the outstanding balance on certain violations to fully satisfy that court ordered obligation. Only traffic tickets that were due to be paid before Jan. 1, 2009, are eligible. Parking tickets, driving under the influence (DUI), and reckless driving cases are NOT eligible.

The program began Sunday and ends June 30.

To find your local superior court, go online to www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm
Payment may be made in whatever form is customary in your county, which may include credit card, cash, cashier's checks, money orders and personal checks.