Some hopeful scofflaws in Bakersfield and Mojave are not getting accurate information from debt collectors about the new traffic ticket amnesty.

Attorney General Kamala Harris announced that her office is receiving a number of complaints about the tactics used by debt buyers who are attempting to collect traffic ticket fines, penalty assessments, and add-ons. Specifically, she warned consumers to be wary of debt collectors who:

• Incorrectly tell eligible drivers that they do not qualify for the program,
• Intentionally fail to mention anything about the amnesty,
• Pressure drivers to make “good faith” payments while neglecting to inform them that such payments render them ineligible for benefits, and
• Do not tell the DMV that the drivers have paid.

Terms vary, but most debt buyers receive a percentage of the money they collect, so they have a financial incentive to collect as much money as possible.

Amnesty or Attorney?

The reality is that you don’t need to go through government red tape to save money on traffic ticket fines, because an attorney can perform this service, and more, any time of year.

In most cases, an attorney can get your drivers’ license reinstated quickly and have the tickets placed back on the court’s docket. Once they come up for hearing, an attorney can often get the case dismissed, or the fines and points reduced; the traffic ticket amnesty only affects the monetary portion, and even then there are strings attached.

Furthermore, if there is a compelling factual or legal defense, an attorney might be able to get your ticket thrown out of court. There is no way that the amnesty can achieve that kind of result.

Getting Legal Help

The aggressive lawyers at Bigger & Harman, APC, are committed to giving individuals a voice when dealing with speeding and traffic tickets. Call today at 661-859-1177 or email attorney@markbigger.com to receive the personal professional attention you deserve. En español, llame al 661-376-0214.