Traffic Tickets Could Be Cut In Half

Riverside County residents with overdue traffic fines have less than three months left to pay up through a Superior Court amnesty program in which some fines will be cut in half.

Since Jan. 1, the court has offered people who were required pay tickets before 2009 a chance to make good on their debt — with 50 percent shaved off the amount due.

To date, more than 1,000 cases have been resolved using the amnesty program, according to the court.

“I am pleased to see that people are taking advantage of this worthwhile program, which allows them to resolve their outstanding cases and clear their record with DMV,” said county Presiding Judge Sherrill Ellsworth. “The court benefits by closing the case and generating revenue to sustain statewide court operations. This is truly a win-win situation for all.”

The amnesty program, offered in all 58 California counties, expires on June 30. Courts statewide were impacted by a $350 million cut in appropriations in fiscal year 2011-12 as part of the governor’s deficit reduction plan, and judicial officials hope the program will help close the funding gap.

Traffic violators convicted of infractions resulting in penalties that were supposed to be paid before Jan. 1, 2009, can apply for a 50 percent reduction in the amount due.

People with misdemeanor or felony warrants are ineligible.

More information about the program is available at the court’s website.