This section will walk you through your first court appearance, including how to enter a plea, how to get your case dismissed, and how to request an alternative to immediate payment. It is your responsibility to express any financial hardships you're experiencing and request one of the four alternatives available. Most courts will request proof, so when reading this section, collect documents demonstrating your inability to pay and fill out the Documents and Forms necessary for dismissing your case or resolving your fines. Browse the pages below for more information:
- What Happens at My First Appearance in Court?
- Am I Eligible for a Deferred Disposition?
- I've Been Ordered to Pay an Amount I Can't Afford
- I'm Not Sure If I Can Complete Community Service
- The Court is Requiring Me to Purchase Car Insurance
- A Collection Agency is Sending Me Notices About a Ticket
Note: Not all forms listed in this section will be relevant to you; fill out the ones that apply only to your circumstances.
When James was issued traffic tickets, he entered a payment plan. He wasn’t informed of alternatives, but he’d received a car accident settlement, which he used to pay off $800 of accrued debt. But it wasn’t enough, and he’s still paying off these fines. He continues driving to work without a valid driver’s license, risking additional tickets and possible jail time.
He's working to remove the holds on his license this year.