Fines and Court Costs

Fines

The amount of fine the court assesses is determined only by the facts and circumstances of the case. Mitigating circumstances MAY lower the fine, even if you are guilty. However, aggravating circumstances MAY increase the fine. The maximum fine for most municipal court traffic violations is $200.00; for municipal court penal violations is $500.00; for certain city ordinance violations is $2,000.00; and for other city ordinance violations is $500.00.

Fines for Common Offenses (Includes Court Costs)

Speeding (not including School Zones) Miles over the posted speed limit:

• 1-5        $209.00
• 6-7       $216.00
• 8-9       $218.00
• 10-11     $249.00
• 12-13    $264.00
• 14-15    $274.00
• 16-17    $284.00
• 18-19    $294.00
• 20-21   $304.00
• 22-23   $314.00
• 24+      $334.00

Not qualified to take a driving safety course if charged with 25 mph or more over the posted speed limit.

• Fail to Display Valid Motor Vehicle Registration    $181.00
• Fail to Provide Proof of Financial Responsibility    $356.00
• Crossing the Median                                                     $224.00
• Stop Sign Violation                                                        $224.00
• Alcohol Violation                                                            $306.00
• Drug Paraphernalia                                                       $306.00
• Seat Belt Violation                                                         $138.00
• Children Seat Belt Violation                                        $198.00

Court Costs

In addition to a fine, court costs MANDATED by state law WILL BE charged. The costs are different depending on the offense. You need to check with the court for the amount that will be assessed to the violation for which you are charged. If you request a trial, you MAY have to also pay the cost of overtime paid to a peace officer spent testifying in the trial. If you request a jury trial, an additional $5.00 jury fee is assessed. If a warrant was served or processed by a peace officer, an additional $50.00 fee is assessed.

Court costs are assessed if you are found guilty at trial, if you plead no contest, if your case is deferred for a driving safety course, or if your case is deferred and you are placed on probation. If you are found not guilty, court costs CANNOT be assessed.

Payment Plan

After a judgment/verdict has been entered you will have thirty (30) days to pay the fine and court costs in full. If there is a balance after the thirty days, the State automatically charges a $15.00 per time payment fee. This court offers a payment plan if you need one. You will have three (3) months to make monthly installments. You must request a payment plan; the court will NOT automatically set cases on them because there is a remaining balance after the thirty days.

New Trial

If you are found guilty, you may make an oral or written motion to the court for a new trial. The motion must be made within ten (10) consecutive days after a judgment of guilty has been rendered against you. The judge may grant a new trial if the judge is persuaded that justice has not been rendered at trial. Only one new trial may be granted for each offense.

Appeals

If you are found guilty, and are not satisfied with the judgment of the court, you have the right to appeal your case. To appeal, you must file and pay an appeal bond with the municipal court within ten (10) consecutive days of the judgment. The amount of the appeal bond is DOUBLE the amount of the final judgment. (i.e. if the fine amount was assessed at $100.00, your appeal bond will be set at $200.00, including court costs.)