The Statewide Traffic Tickets/Infraction Amnesty Program will be effective from October 1, 2015 through March 31, 2017. Amnesty guidelines have been approved by the Judicial Council and should be referenced by court and county collection programs when planning for, and administering, the one-time amnesty program.

Resources

The Statewide Traffic Tickets/Infraction Amnesty Program Guidelines are based on Senate Bill 85, which added Vehicle Code section 42008.8 to include specified Vehicle Code misdemeanor violations in addition to Vehicle and non-Vehicle Code Infractions. The following resources are available to assist in the implementation and administration of the amnesty program:

• Amnesty Program Guidelines (Updated June 2016)
• Sample Amnesty Program Participation Form (Updated October 1, 2015)
• Sample Installment Payment Forms
  • Sample Amnesty Reduction Bail Form
    The Sample Amnesty Reduction Bail Form is used for cases eligible for amnesty reduction when a case has been referred to collection as delinquent debt under PC 1463.007 without previous adjudication of the underlying charges. Because there is no judgment in the case there is an advisement about conviction and waiver of rights. Also, the consequences for nonpayment of the installments are expressly limited by VC 42008.8.
  • Sample Amnesty Reduction Fine Form
    The Sample Amnesty Reduction Fine Form is used for cases eligible for amnesty reduction when there has been a judgment in the case. Advisement of rights is not necessary and the consequences for nonpayment of the installments are expressly limited by VC 42008.8.
  • Sample Driver’s License Bail Form
    The Sample Driver’s License Bail Form is used for cases that are not eligible for amnesty reduction, but have been referred to collection as delinquent debt under PC 1463.007 without previous adjudication of the underlying charges, but the agreement is necessary to be current on a payment plan for release of the driver’s license hold. Because there is no judgment in the case there is an advisement about conviction and waiver of rights. The consequences for nonpayment of the installments are not expressly limited by VC 42008.8 so civil assessment and a hold on the driver’s license are permitted.
  • Sample Driver’s License Fine Form
    The Sample Driver’s Fine Form is used for cases that are not eligible for amnesty reduction when there has been a judgment in the case. Advisement of rights is not necessary and the consequences for nonpayment of the installments are not expressly limited by VC 42008.8 so civil assessment and holds on a driver’s license are permitted.
• Amnesty Program FAQs (Updated June 28, 2017)
• Amnesty Program Collections Report
  • Instructions (Updated April 25, 2016)
• Senate Bill 85 (Legislative Counsel’s Digest)
• Senate Bill 405
• Optional Amnesty Program misdemeanors list (contact your program's assigned analyst)

Public Information

Outreach materials that explain the parameters and eligibility criteria for amnesty have been developed. Consider posting the following tools to your court and county websites:

• Public FAQs (en español)
• Public Flyers/Posters for Posting
  • Poster to help customers determine amnesty eligibility – print and post today!
  • Reduction Option (Updated October 1, 2015)
  • Driver’s License Hold Release Option
• Informational Video
  • Instructions to embed video on your website
• Entity administering the program by county

If you have any questions regarding amnesty, please submit them at amnesty@jud.ca.gov.