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 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.
