Tulare County Superior Court offers online payment method for traffic court fines

As part of the Tulare County Superior Court’s ongoing effort to increase access to justice, Tulare County became a pilot court for the California Judicial Council’s new Mycitations: Ability to Pay tool; an online option for people struggling to pay fines related to traffic infractions.

In October, 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice “Price of Justice Initiative” grant, was awarded to the Judicial Council of California. Grant funds were used for development and implementation of the Mycitations: Ability to Pay Tool. Tulare County is one of eight courts selected as pilot courts. The tool is currently available in Tulare, Shasta and Ventura counties with additional courts offering the tool in the coming months.

The tool allows court users to look up their traffic citation online, answer a series of simple questions and submit a request to the court for a possible reduction in the amount owed based on their financial situation. Users can also request a payment plan, more time to pay, or community service.

This new option saves both time and resources, and allows the public to make requests without the need to appear in court. Prior to the implementation of this tool, only those that had previously made payment arrangements with the court could pay online.

A link to the Mycitations tool can be found on the court’s website at www.tularesuperiorcourt.ca.gov, under the Traffic tab.