If you have unpaid traffic and non-traffic infraction tickets, then you may be able to qualify for California’s new Amnesty Program.
The Amnesty Program, which began in October 2015, helps some people reduce their traffic ticket fines or remove marks from their driving records.
To qualify for the program, you must meet one of these two requirements:
- You have unpaid traffic tickets with bail or fines originally due to be paid on or before January 1, 2013, and you have not made payments. In this case, you may be eligible to have debt reduced by 50 to 80 percent (depending on income) and have the hold released on your driver’s license.
- You were delinquent on your payments, but are currently making payments or you become current on the date of the request. In this case, you will not receive a reduction; however, you may qualify to have the “failure to pay” notification removed from your driving record.
How long do I have to participate?
The California Amnesty Program ends on March 31, 2017. Before this date, you can get more information from the California Courts website. You can apply by completing the Amnesty Participation Form and bringing it to the court where your delinquent ticket was filed.
Fees
If you live in California and feel you are eligible for the Amnesty Program, you will be charged a $50 fee. In order to participate in the program, you must pay the fee along with your first payment or lump sum amount.
Questions about Traffic Tickets or Amnesty Program?
If you are unsure you qualify or want more legal information about your traffic citations, we recommend a referral to a qualified DMV attorney.
The Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) of San Diego County can refer you to an experienced, certified and insured DMV attorney who can help.