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Financial Hardship and Ability to Pay Your Fine

What if I can't afford to pay?

If you cannot pay the full amount of a fine for an infraction offense (including most traffic tickets), you may ask the Court to reduce the amount you owe based on your ability to pay. You must show proof that you do not have the financial means to pay your fine. You may also ask the Court if you can perform community service, establish a payment plan, or extend the time you need to comply with a court order. You may ask the Court to consider your ability to pay at any point in the process, but you must enter a plea of guilty or no contest before the Court can give you an answer. The easiest way to request a fine reduction is to use the Court’s online request tool, MyCitations. 

Fines and fees owed from a misdemeanor or felony offense are not eligible for a reduction using the MyCitations online request tool.

Access MyCitations Now

 

If you cannot use the online tool, you may use the forms below to provide information that should be considered in connection with your request.

 Installment payments will be as low as $25 per month if you make your request using the online tool (above). Otherwise, installment payments would be in the amount of at least $40 per month. 

 

Showing Good Cause for Collections Debt

If your case is currently in collections and you have a good cause reason for failing to appear or pay (incarceration, hospitalization, active-duty military, incapacitation, etc.) you can ask the Court to restore the case to a non-collections status by submitting the forms below to the Clerk's Office. If you cannot afford to pay your debt in a traffic or infraction case, you can use the MyCitations online request tool and ask the Court to consider your ability to pay. If you cannot afford to pay your debt in a misdemeanor or a felony case, you cannot use the online tool and must submit the forms below. Forms can be submitted in an email, by mail, or in person at the Clerk's Office.