Didn't Pay Your Traffic Tickets? California Has a Half-Off Sale For You!

California is broke, so if people aren't paying their old traffic tickets, what kind of incentive can the state offer to get them to pony up at least some of the cash? How about a 50% off deal! As we previously reported, the idea behind the state's "Amnesty Program" is to encourage delinquent ticket-holders to pay up at a discount, rather than perhaps not pay up at all.

So who qualifies, and how can they go about getting into the "Amnesty Program"?

• Not all traffic tickets are eligible. The discount can be applied to tickets that are from 2008 and earlier. The discount cannot be applied to parking tickets, reckless driving citations, and DUI citation. Some Juvenile tickets will be eligible.
• Additionally, some infractions that are non-vehicle related are eligible.
• Some tickets will be part of a mandatory amnesty program, some a voluntary program.
• Fines that have been partially paid, including via court-acknowledged payment plans, are also eligible.
• The payment, 50% of the total currently owed, must be made in one lump sum. Payment must be made between January 1 and June 20, 2012.

Each driver or other ticketed Californian could save hundreds of dollars, at the same time, broke-ass California stands to rake in millions.

If you think you may be eligible, you'll want to take a look at the Amnesty Program Guidelines document via the Amnesty Program pageon the California courts site; the Guidelines document includes several examples of ticket and case types with sample cost breakdowns. If you wish to apply for the program, you'll need to submit an affidavit to the courts for approval. the state's court employees begin their Amnesty Program training next week, with sessions scheduled throughout October.