Courts to Offer Amnesty Program for Delinquent Ticket Payers

RIVERSIDE - Riverside County residents who have neglected to pay a traffic ticket in the last few years could be eligible for a 50 percent discount on whatever they owe under a statewide amnesty program, it was announced today.

Beginning in January, courts in all 58 California counties will forgive half of the unpaid amount due on traffic-related fines imposed before Jan. 1, 2009, as an incentive for people to resolve delinquencies and help the courts close a funding gap.

''This is a win-win,'' said Ronald Overholt, interim administrative director of the courts. ''People have an opportunity to clear their traffic tickets at a reduced cost, and the courts and the counties will get an injection of much-needed funds to help maintain critical services for the public.''

The state court system's appropriations were cut by $350 million in the 2011-12 fiscal year to meet the governor's deficit-reduction goals.

According to the California Judicial Council, the amnesty program will run from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2012.

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

Defendants who have an outstanding misdemeanor of felony arrest warrant are not eligible, nor are those who owe restitution to a victim in a case filed in the county where the traffic case originated, according to state officials.

More information about the program will be available after Jan. 1. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the Riverside County Superior Court at (951) 222-0384, or check online at http://www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/.

Additional details about the amnesty program can be found at http://www.courts.ca.gov/partners/941.htm.