Fix-It ticket RISE in CA
04-24-2009, 09:59 PM
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Fix-It ticket RISE in CA
I took this from another forum, can anyone verify this?
Originally Posted by Mercury News
The cost of a fix-it ticket — and others — just got quite a bit steeper
By Gary Richards
Mercury News
Posted: 01/29/2009 12:00:00 AM PST
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* Real-time road reports and updates
Columnist
* Latest from Mr. Roadshow
Got a broken blinker? You'd better get it fixed.
Under a little-noted law that took effect Jan. 1, the cost of a fix-it ticket has nearly tripled, and drivers who are tardy taking care of a burned-out headlight or another mechanical problem could pay as much as $100 for an offense that a few years ago didn't cost a penny.
Lacking the funds to renovate nearly 400 court buildings across California, the state Legislature approved a boost in fix-it fines from $10 to $25 under a bill written by state Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland.
The bill also raised surcharges on regular traffic tickets by $35, parking tickets by $3 and the court cost to attend traffic school by $25.
The increase in the fine for fix-it tickets — citations issued for a vehicular problem in need of repair — might not seem like much, but other changes in state law have made it potentially much more expensive. Where one such ticket used to cover several violations, the new regulations make each separate violation a $25 fine. So if a cop cites a driver for having a burned-out brake light and broken mirror, the penalty jumps to $50.
Tack on other fees that can be assessed for prior tickets, night court, security and other reasons, and the total bill can easily exceed $100. And if a driver is late in taking care of the problem, you're talking a bill approaching $200.
"This may be a pretty hot topic as soon as people realize how much fees have increased,"
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said Sgt. Don Morrissey of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department.
"I'm shocked, to say the least," said Caroline Chang of Hayward, who has received fix-it tickets for a broken mirror and a brake light that was out because of a faulty fuse.
"I can understand a $10 fee for paperwork, but I'd be really upset, mad and ticked if I had to pay $50 to $100," she said. "That's a lot for a fuse being out."
A fix-it ticket is issued when an officer spots a driver with a problem that needs fixing, such as a broken mirror, faulty seat belt or a horn that won't honk. A ticket is issued requiring the driver to get it fixed within 60 days.
The driver takes care of the problem and goes back to police, who sign a form saying the problem has been fixed. The driver then sends in the notice to the courts and the ticket is dismissed.
There was no fine attached to a fix-it ticket until about a decade ago, when a $10 fee was assessed to cover court costs. But as California's economy worsens, state officials are searching for ways to pay for its growing needs.
"This will go for critical needs at courthouses that need to be renovated or rebuilt quickly," said Philip Carrizosa of the Judicial Council of California, saying it will cover the costs at 41 of about 400 courthouses in need of repairs.
"It's a solution to the state budget problems, by having court users pay these fees," he said. "It's not dependent on the General Fund."
The higher fees are expected to generate nearly $300 million a year, which will pay for preconstruction costs and debt service payments for 41 renovation or construction project approved by the Judicial Council in October. The stiffer fines will also provide $40 million annually for security and safety improvements and building code compliance.
Drivers are not the only ones caught off guard by the new fees. Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman Armando Botello and Highway Patrol spokeswoman Fran Clader both said Wednesday they weren't aware of the new fees.
"My guess is that the initial reaction will be outrage, if they have had to pay only $10 in the past," said Palo Alto Police Sgt. Steve Herrera. "If they have never gotten a fix-it ticket, they might not know the difference. As time goes on, if there was any outrage, it will be forgotten.
"Tough economic times call for these type of increases. If people want the same level of service, we all have to tighten our belts and pay for it."
Contact Gary Richards at grichards@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5335.
# Surcharge on traffic ticket: $35 hike
# Fix-it ticket:
$15 hike per violation
# Parking tickets:
$3 increase
# Traffic school costs:
Up $25
Source: Judicial Council
of California
The cost of a fix-it ticket — and others — just got quite a bit steeper
By Gary Richards
Mercury News
Posted: 01/29/2009 12:00:00 AM PST
Live traffic map
* Real-time road reports and updates
Columnist
* Latest from Mr. Roadshow
Got a broken blinker? You'd better get it fixed.
Under a little-noted law that took effect Jan. 1, the cost of a fix-it ticket has nearly tripled, and drivers who are tardy taking care of a burned-out headlight or another mechanical problem could pay as much as $100 for an offense that a few years ago didn't cost a penny.
Lacking the funds to renovate nearly 400 court buildings across California, the state Legislature approved a boost in fix-it fines from $10 to $25 under a bill written by state Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland.
The bill also raised surcharges on regular traffic tickets by $35, parking tickets by $3 and the court cost to attend traffic school by $25.
The increase in the fine for fix-it tickets — citations issued for a vehicular problem in need of repair — might not seem like much, but other changes in state law have made it potentially much more expensive. Where one such ticket used to cover several violations, the new regulations make each separate violation a $25 fine. So if a cop cites a driver for having a burned-out brake light and broken mirror, the penalty jumps to $50.
Tack on other fees that can be assessed for prior tickets, night court, security and other reasons, and the total bill can easily exceed $100. And if a driver is late in taking care of the problem, you're talking a bill approaching $200.
"This may be a pretty hot topic as soon as people realize how much fees have increased,"
Advertisement
said Sgt. Don Morrissey of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department.
"I'm shocked, to say the least," said Caroline Chang of Hayward, who has received fix-it tickets for a broken mirror and a brake light that was out because of a faulty fuse.
"I can understand a $10 fee for paperwork, but I'd be really upset, mad and ticked if I had to pay $50 to $100," she said. "That's a lot for a fuse being out."
A fix-it ticket is issued when an officer spots a driver with a problem that needs fixing, such as a broken mirror, faulty seat belt or a horn that won't honk. A ticket is issued requiring the driver to get it fixed within 60 days.
The driver takes care of the problem and goes back to police, who sign a form saying the problem has been fixed. The driver then sends in the notice to the courts and the ticket is dismissed.
There was no fine attached to a fix-it ticket until about a decade ago, when a $10 fee was assessed to cover court costs. But as California's economy worsens, state officials are searching for ways to pay for its growing needs.
"This will go for critical needs at courthouses that need to be renovated or rebuilt quickly," said Philip Carrizosa of the Judicial Council of California, saying it will cover the costs at 41 of about 400 courthouses in need of repairs.
"It's a solution to the state budget problems, by having court users pay these fees," he said. "It's not dependent on the General Fund."
The higher fees are expected to generate nearly $300 million a year, which will pay for preconstruction costs and debt service payments for 41 renovation or construction project approved by the Judicial Council in October. The stiffer fines will also provide $40 million annually for security and safety improvements and building code compliance.
Drivers are not the only ones caught off guard by the new fees. Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman Armando Botello and Highway Patrol spokeswoman Fran Clader both said Wednesday they weren't aware of the new fees.
"My guess is that the initial reaction will be outrage, if they have had to pay only $10 in the past," said Palo Alto Police Sgt. Steve Herrera. "If they have never gotten a fix-it ticket, they might not know the difference. As time goes on, if there was any outrage, it will be forgotten.
"Tough economic times call for these type of increases. If people want the same level of service, we all have to tighten our belts and pay for it."
Contact Gary Richards at grichards@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5335.
# Surcharge on traffic ticket: $35 hike
# Fix-it ticket:
$15 hike per violation
# Parking tickets:
$3 increase
# Traffic school costs:
Up $25
Source: Judicial Council
of California
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