Angelenos With Traffic Tickets Catch A Break

LOS ANGELES, CA — Angelenos stuck with traffic tickets and other minor infractions will have a 90 reprieve and may be able to handle their tickets online during the coronavirus pandemic, the Los Angeles Superior Court announced Monday.

The court pushed back due dates by 90 days and will reach out to about 256,000 residents with with traffic and other citations with information packets to help them navigate their options for fighting or paying tickets online or by phone. It's a massive efforts by officials to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and spare Angelenos from court appearances for minor infractions during the pandemic.

The announcement Monday came after the court clerk's office opened for the first time since the shutdown. LA court system has been dramatically changed since reopening. For the sake of social distancing, individuals are required to make a reservation in advance for in-person services.

Appearances on traffic and non-traffic citations scheduled between March 17 and June 22 have been rescheduled and notifications of the new dates have been sent. Due dates for all tickets with a date to appear have been extended 90 days.

Individuals cited for violations can contest a ticket without appearing in court and can also make an agreement to pay fines over time online.

The packets include instructions and answers to frequently asked questions in English and Spanish.

More information can be found on the court's traffic webpage at http://www.lacourt.org/divisio... or by calling the clerk or an automated traffic assistance number provided at many of the county courthouses.

City News Service and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.