Speeding fees more than fine

[dnewman]

I received a speeding ticket in Franklin County. My fault, I own it, admit and payed it. When I contacted the clerk of courts, they told me the fine was $55 and the fees were $75 for a total of $130. I understand the fine but when I complained about the fees I finally received an itemized list. It included 2 references to electronic filing, county filing fees, and get this - Victim of Crimes fund, Building security, and public defender fees! I couldn't believe it. I payed online, with a credit card, never set foot in the building, or seen anyone except the officer. What gives? Is it normal for states and local governments to run up additional taxes on traffic violations? Because I was speeding I get taxed twice for a public defender? for their facilty security? for the victims of crime fund? This just does not seem right! Are other states or other parts of Ohio like this? Or am I just blessed to work in such perfectly efficient area of government? I tried to E-mail some of the people "in charge" but apparently they do not accept E-mails from the public. ANY advice on how to correct this obvious wrong would be appreciated. I'm not trying to get out of paying the ticket, just seems their priorities are really wrong.

[woofie]

You owe me $53. for posting this on my computer

[agitator]

A tax is a tax is a tax and the guy in the blue uniform is a tax collector.

[Army Air Corps]

I had something similar happen. I won't go into the particulars (I was ticketed in a ticket trap), but when it came time to pay the ticket and the fees, I was looking at about $120 (about $90 were miscellaneous fees). Paying the fine is understandable, but the fees are just another way to suck cash out of your wallet.

[PistolPaknMama]

ANY advice on how to correct this obvious wrong would be appreciated.

It's the GOVERNMENT. They do what they want. Contact your state legislators, and good luck. Somebody has to pay for the security at the courthouse and for the public defender who defends somebody, but not you, and for the judge (his clerk and court reporter) to show up even if you didn't. Thought your state and property tax paid for all these luxuries? It's the biggest ponzi scam going on.

[hispanichoosier]

Is it normal for states and local governments to run up additional taxes on traffic violations?

Yes, usually court costs are more than fines. On the bright side, though, court costs are more akin to user fees than taxes. If you don't go to court, you don't have to pay the fees. Thus, those who are more likely to use the courts (criminals) end up paying the most fees.

[Larry Lucido]

Helloooo, Newman.

[Larry Lucido]

NEWMAN:Well, you'll never guess what happened to me today. I was uh, driving [ Jerry and Kramer turn away] home on the palisades parkway when I looked in the rear view mirror and what did I see? The fuzz. And it's funny because my new radar detector was on. I didn't hear a thing. Isn't that strange?

KRAMER: Yeah. That's strange.

NEWMAN:A radar detector, as I understand it, DETECTS RADAR! WITH A SERIES OF BEEPS AND FLASHING LIGHTS. But oddly, for some reason I didn't hear a thing except for the sound of a police siren.

KRAMER: That's queer uh?

NEWMAN:I WANT MY HELMET BACK! GIVE ME BACK MY HELMET AND YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT TICKET.

KRAMER: Yeah, you better think again Mojumbo.

NEWMAN:You gave me a defective detector. ... Jerry?

JERRY: Buyer beware.

[Felicity Fahrquar]

Add me to the list....and watch out for Virginia. The only ticket I've ever gotten in my life was generously bestowed upon me by a dutiful servant of Wythe County, while I was on a trip to Maryland. The fine itself was only $35 -- I wasn't going much over the limit (certainly not as much as I COULD have been in my zippy little car) -- but by the time I was finished with a laundry list of fines, I paid about $150 bucks. I was amazed.

The last time I made that drive I hit the cruise control the second I crossed the border into VA and didn't turn it off until I reached Arlington.

[Felicity Fahrquar]

Erm...that should be "list of FEES."

Fine = reasonable
Fees = outrageous
Staying the hell out of VA = priceless

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here. this court is no doubt run by small goverment republicans.

[REDWOOD99]

Um, don't speed?

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Speeders disgust Me, I just want to drive along, looking for something to point a camera at, and You ride My bumper, waving a finger and gnashing Your teeth, but, I usually catch up with Your little, immature, behind at the next stop light. Don't come asking Me for pity!
I wish they would cancel Your liscence, then maybe I could really afford insurance again, I am sort of tired of subsidizing Your childish games.

[FreeKeys]

CWSL (convulsing with silent laughter).

Good one!

[eastforker]

In Texas, after you pay your fine to the local authorities, the state gouges you a surcharge for a minimum of another $104.00.

[Fierce Allegiance]

You have years, likely to feel the full impact. Many states use the safe driver points system, so by the end of it you could easily end up paying out well ver $1,000 for a speeding ticket.

[CSM]

The fine can't be reallocated to the local budgets, the fees can go directly back to the revenue of the local entity. As a result, the police has just morphed into a revenue generation department of local governments.

[Turbopilot]

Congratulations; you're a stereotype.

[Turbopilot]

Have you paid them yet? If not, it's probably worth it for you to go to court and fight the ticket. There are a number of web sites of organizations set up to help people fight speeding tickets and since you'll probably pay hundreds more over the cost of the ticket for insurance surcharges it's almost definitely worth your time to try. I learned (too late, unfortunately) that you need to fight EVERY ticket.

Click here for the NMA, an organization dedicated to reforming speed laws. They can help you fight the ticket if you haven't yet paid it.

Otherwise, click here to pick up some protection for the future. Either way, good luck!

[dnewman]

surely you jest?