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A Collection Agency is Sending Me Notices About a Ticket

  • Some courts contract with collection agencies or law firms to collect unpaid tickets. The agency can try to collect a ticket even if you have never been to court to see a judge.
  • If you have never been to court but pay what the collection agency tells you to pay, you will be considered to have entered a plea of “no contest” and give up your right to trial.
  • If you pay the ticket through the collection agency, the agency can charge you an additional 30% of the total amount owed as the fee.
    • That means if you owe $100, the collection agency can charge you an additional $30 for a total of $130. If you owe $300, the collection agency can charge you an additional $90 and make you pay $390; etc.
  • Even if you are receiving notices or calls from a collection agency, you still have the same rights. The notices will often say something like, “Please return your payment in the amount of $300 (or whatever amount you owe) immediately.” But, you can still choose to deal directly with the court and seek an alternative sentence, bypassing the collection agency.
    • You have the right to plead not guilty and have your guilt or innocence determined at a trial, if you have not already entered a plea.
    • Even if you have already entered a plea of not guilty or no contest or been convicted at trial, you have a right to a hearing before the judge to consider whether you are unable to pay what you owe.
    • You still have the right to an alternative sentence like a payment plan or community service if the judge determines you are unable to pay. 
  • In short, you do not have to pay the collection agency and can instead contact the court directly and ask to set up a hearing if you wish to do so.