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CA traffic fix-it ticket - civil assessment for failure to appear

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urbanSF

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law) - California

Thanks in advance for your time and response.

In January 09, I was ticketed in San Francisco, and unfortunately I forgot about the ticket by February. The ticket was processed into the system with the wrong address, even though the correct address is on the ticket, so I never received the courtesy notice as a reminder in the mail.

I wouldn't have known about the ticket had I not moved this summer from my old address, and updated my DMV records with my new address. That's when I received the notice 8 months later (Sep 09), but by then it seemed it was too late to do anything. My license had been suspended in June 09 and I had no clue.

The simple fix-it ticket, turned into a $1600 nightmare with license suspension.

I immediately called the court, and they explained to me that it was too late to do anything about resolving the matter and instructed me to pay the $1600 in fines (registration, missing front plate, proof of insurance, plus new court fees and a $300 civil assessment for failure to appear).

I am hoping that I can post bail with the clerk in order to get on the calendar for an appearance with the court.

Am I too late, or can I show that I have since resolved all violations with proof and hope the judge drops the civil assessment?

Note: I am aware it was my responsibility to appear on/or before the date written on the ticket, and that a courtesy notice is exactly that, a courtesy. I was shocked to see the DMV letter in my mailbox this month, as it was literally the first (successful) communication I have received about the citation.
 


I_Got_Banned

Senior Member
Am I too late, or can I show that I have since resolved all violations with proof and hope the judge drops the civil assessment?
You're more likely to get a reduction in the fine amounts than you are to get the FTA civil assessment reduced, But it all depends on the judge. Nobody here can guess what he/she will rule. Give it a try, worst thing that can happen is they'll say "no".
 

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