Municipal Court Fines
The size of the presumptive fine imposed by the court will depend on the severity of the offense, whether state law requires a minimum fine for the offense, whether there are any mitigating circumstances, and whether the person has been convicted of prior offenses. Please note that the presumptive fine indicated on a violation ticket is the amount the court may forfeit if the person who received the ticket does not respond by the time specified to appear in court.
If a person who receives a ticket believes there are mitigating circumstances the court should consider before imposing a fine, he or she may:
- Plead no contest with an explanation to the judge at the court appearance, or
- Sign and date for Option #2 (No Contest plea), send a check or money order for the full amount of the presumptive fine, along with a letter explaining the circumstances, to the court. The judge will review the letter and may return some or all of the bail if appropriate.