A GUIDE TO THE TRAFFIC DIVISION

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY TRAFFIC TICKET?
The Clerk's Traffic Division can be reached at 850-926-0311. Our Traffic clerk can provide information about your traffic ticket including the amount of the civil penalty due, the options available to you to satisfy the charge, the due date, the status of the ticket and other general information.
 
If you do not have a yellow copy of the ticket with you when you place the call, you will delay the process significantly. By law, law enforcement has five business days to file citations with the Clerk's office. The actual amount due may vary from that listed on the citation.

WHAT IS A CRIMINAL TRAFFIC CHARGE?
This is a charge, such as Driving Under the Influence, which requires a court appearance as it carries with it criminal penalties which may include fines and costs, probation and/or the possibility of a jail term. Payment of the ticket cannot be automatically made to the Clerk's Office. Persons charged with a criminal offense will have a court date shown on their traffic ticket and must appear in court, if the citation indicates date to be set, you must contact the misdemeanor section at 926-0905 ext 224.

WHAT IS A CIVIL TRAFFIC INFRACTION?
A civil traffic infraction is a non-criminal charge that can usually be disposed of by the payment of a civil penalty or an election to attend a defensive driving course. A court appearance is not required, except in cases where the violation involves an accident or property damage. Payment can be made by mail by using the traffic envelope provided by the officer, or in person by coming to our office, room 205.

HOW SOON AFTER ISSUANCE MUST I PAY THE TICKET?
Infraction violations must be paid within 30 calendar days from the date the ticket was issued.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TICKET IS NOT PAID TIMELY?
A suspension will be entered against your driver license which could affect your insurance rates and will subject you to additional penalties and costs.

WHAT PAYMENT OPTIONS DO I HAVE TO PAY THIS CITATION?
You may pay by mail via money order or cashiers check. You may pay over the internet for timely payments where you are not electing a school option (see myfloridacounty.com). In the office we take cash, money orders, cashiers checks, and have a third party vendor for Mastercard.VISA. Please note that this vendor charges a service charge for processing your transaction and forwarding the funds to us for your citation.

ARE THERE OTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO ME OTHER THAN PAYING MY TICKET?
Yes, payable civil infractions may be satisfied by entering a plea of Not Guilty (PENDING OUTCOME OF TRIAL), by electing to attend a driver improvement course (THIS GIVES A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN THE FINE AMOUNT), or by submitting an Affidavit of Compliance for cases involving safety equipment violations which have been corrected by you and the affidavit signed by a law enforcement officer indicating the correction was made. Traffic tickets written for certain driver license, registration or insurance violations may be dismissed by the Clerk if proof of compliance can be shown. There are minimal fees for dismissal.

AT TYPES OF CASES ARE HEARD IN COURT?
The Traffic Division of the County Court is set-up to hear criminal traffic and civil traffic infractions. Traffic cases are heard by the County Judge.

HOW DO I ENTER A NOT GUILTY PLEA TO A CIVIL TRAFFIC INFRACTION?
You must notify the Clerk's Office, in person or in writing, within the required time frame of thirty (30) calendar days from the date of issuance of the ticket. Your case will be scheduled for a court date and you will be advised when and where to appear.

WHO WILL BE PRESENT AT THE HEARING?
The officer who issued the traffic ticket and any other witnesses called by the officer or any witnesses that you may wish to call to testify on your behalf.

WHAT MUST I DO IF THE COURT FINDS ME GUILTY?
If you are found guilty of a civil traffic infraction, the court may assess fine and costs, order you to attend a defensive driving course or impose other penalties. If you should fail to pay the fine and cost within the time allotted you by the court, if any, a suspension will be issued against your driver's license and additional penalties will be imposed.

FOR A MOVING VIOLATION, CAN I DO ANYTHING TO AVOID POINTS AND HIGHER INSURANCE COSTS?
You have the opportunity to attend a driver improvement school.

CAN THE CLERK'S OFFICE ADVISE ME ABOUT POINTS ASSESSED AGAINST MY LICENSE?
No, deputy clerks cannot advise you on the number of points assessed against your driver history record or on how points will affect your insurance. You must address these concerns with the Bureau of Driver Licenses and/or your insurance agent.

CAN I PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO A TRAFFIC TICKET IF I LIVE OUT OF Wakulla COUNTY?
Yes, you may plead not guilty by completing an Affidavit of Defense and filing it with the Clerk's Office. You will be required to post a bond for the full amount of your citation at the time you file the Affidavit of Defense. The Affidavit of Defense will be read in open court, you are encouraged to be present, however if this is not possible, you will be notified by mail of the outcome of the hearing.

WHAT ARE THE FINE AMOUNTS?
Fines for civil infractions are governed by Florida Statutes. For the most current fine schedule refer to a current "Schedule of Service Charges" available in the Clerk's Office, as well as online, for the applicable fee.

WHERE DOES THE FINE MONEY GO?
Fines are distributed to various funds established by the legislature with a portion being returned to the issuing law enforcement agency and a service charge retained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

IF MY LICENSE IS UNDER SUSPENSION, HOW CAN I REINSTATE MY DRIVING PRIVILEGE?
If your license is suspended for failure to pay a civil infraction in Wakulla County, you may pay the fine amount owing plus the assessed delinquent fee. The Clerk's Office can assist you in reinstating your license. If there are other reasons for the suspension, you will need to go to a driver license office for reinstatement. A reinstatement fee is required.

IF I RECEIVED A TRAFFIC TICKET IN ANOTHER COUNTY, CAN I TAKE CARE OF IT IN WAKULLA COUNTY?
Tickets must be satisfied in the county in which they were issued.