California Traffic Ticket Amnesty Program Ends June 30

By Robyn Hagan Cain on June 15, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

The California Amnesty Program for Traffic Tickets is winding down. Speed demon attorneys and lead-footed clients only have two more weeks to get a discount on unpaid tickets.

The California courts have been offering a traffic ticket amnesty program since January 1, 2012. The program offers drivers a 50 percent discount on certain unpaid traffic tickets. But all good things come to an end, and half-price traffic violations will end Saturday, June 30.

There are, of course, a few exclusions: The amnesty program does not apply to DUI fines, parking tickets, or reckless driving citations.

A driver must meet all five of the following conditions to qualify for relief under the program:

  1. Outstanding traffic debt was due to be paid in full before January 1, 2009.
  2. Last date of payment was on or before January 1, 2009.
  3. Driver either failed to appear in court or failed to pay in full.
  4. Driver doesn't owe restitution to a victim on any case within the county where the violation was filed.
  5. Driver does not have outstanding misdemeanor or felony warrants within the county where the violation was filed.

The total amount a driver owes could be cut in half through the program; if other fees and assessments were added to the original fine, those will also be discounted 50 percent.

Payments must be made in one lump sum, but some courts may accept credit cards. Cash and checks can work for those of you who like to kick it old school.

To check on California Traffic Ticket Amnesty Program eligibility for an overdue, court-ordered debt, contact the court that imposed the violation.

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