Fix-it $$$$
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From: SF Bay Area
Fix-it $$$$
Hey NorCal -
The cost for our window tint and no front plate just went up !!
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The cost of a fix-it ticket just went way up
By Gary Richards
Mercury News
Posted: 01/29/2009 12:00:00 AM PST
Updated: 01/29/2009 01
16 PM PST
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 authored by state Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland. (Perata's term has since ended.)
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
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how much fees have increased," said Sgt. Don Morrissey of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
"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 that 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."
The cost for our window tint and no front plate just went up !!
****************
The cost of a fix-it ticket just went way up
By Gary Richards
Mercury News
Posted: 01/29/2009 12:00:00 AM PST
Updated: 01/29/2009 01
16 PM PSTGot 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 authored by state Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland. (Perata's term has since ended.)
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
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Steroid-free Way to a Sculpted Body
How to Destroy Acne Without Destroying Your Skin
how much fees have increased," said Sgt. Don Morrissey of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
"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 that 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."
Last edited by penelson; Jan 29, 2009 at 06:37 PM.
R
I couldn't get to it using your link but worked with this one: http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyre...ws/ci_11577161
On the topic: Dude, that sucks. That's why I drive with my plate on even though I don't like to. Nothing much I can do about the tint.
On the topic: Dude, that sucks. That's why I drive with my plate on even though I don't like to. Nothing much I can do about the tint.
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From: Pothole Central and still ridin slammed...Boston
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Those bastards! Ya it's true! I got a fix it ticket in oct 08 for no license plate and they mailed a letter I needed to show proof of corr and pay 10... again in Jan I got a ticket for the same thing, and i'm being charged 25 bucks! >.< (my court date for the first ticket is march so I was procrastinating replacing the plate =/)
=/
All these damn new laws to suck the money out of hard working people can kiss my ****ing ***. I did not mind paying the $10 but I will not go without putting up a fight the next time I get pulled over for some bull****. These pigs need to go after the ****ers who are speeding, cutting people off and driving like idiots instead of going after me for my tint, leds, etc. I aint putting anyone in harms way with these things. ****ers!!
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area
In the course of my day, if I write 10 tickets for speeding, unsafe lane change, following to close, and running a stop sign, arrested a drunk driver, but write one ticket for tinted windows, have I done my job up to your standards? My agency doesn't get a dime from any citation that I write. Compliance. That's what the objective is. Get your car up to code and you won't have to worry about being 'picked' on. I took a suspended driver off the road the other day all because he had a crack in his windshield. Reason for being suspended? DUI. All that because of a chicken sh*t ticket, I guess.
I can also tell you that $25 doesn't even come close to covering the cost of processing a ticket. By the time our clerical staff inputs it into the system, sends the ticket over to the court, then processed by their staff, noticed mailed out to the violator, brought back after being signed off, then imput back into the system as cleared, sent to the DMV to be put on their driving record, it costs WAY more than $25 bucks. Keep in mind, the CHP signs off correctable citations for free. Other agencies charge if you show up to their office to have an officer walk out to your car to see if your front plate is attached. So if you want to save a few bucks, come to any CHP office and have the front desk officer sign it off.
I can also tell you that $25 doesn't even come close to covering the cost of processing a ticket. By the time our clerical staff inputs it into the system, sends the ticket over to the court, then processed by their staff, noticed mailed out to the violator, brought back after being signed off, then imput back into the system as cleared, sent to the DMV to be put on their driving record, it costs WAY more than $25 bucks. Keep in mind, the CHP signs off correctable citations for free. Other agencies charge if you show up to their office to have an officer walk out to your car to see if your front plate is attached. So if you want to save a few bucks, come to any CHP office and have the front desk officer sign it off.
