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Traffic fines plunge after DeKalb court overhaul

Solicitor Janet Newburg, right, and Clarence Youmans speak in court at DeKalb County State Court’s Traffic Division in Decatur on Wednesday. Money collected from traffic tickets in DeKalb has declined after abolishing Recorders Court. JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL
Solicitor Janet Newburg, right, and Clarence Youmans speak in court at DeKalb County State Court’s Traffic Division in Decatur on Wednesday. Money collected from traffic tickets in DeKalb has declined after abolishing Recorders Court. JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL
By Mark Niesse
Jan 15, 2016

The cost of speeding tickets and other traffic violations has gone down in DeKalb since the county's Recorders Court was abolished.

State lawmakers eliminated Recorders Court amid allegations that it was being used as a fundraising vehicle for the government that threatened defendants with jail time.

It was replaced with the new Traffic Division of State Court, which reduced ticket fines and eliminated some fees.

As a result, drivers are paying roughly $7 million less each year for traffic tickets.

ExplorePlease read the full story on MyAJC.com.

About the Author

Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

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