The State Court of Fulton County, in partnership with the Office of the Solicitor General, is offering a traffic amnesty program to resolve unpaid traffic citations. The “Traffic Amnesty Program” began Sept. 5 and will continue through the end of the year. It offers amnesty to individuals who have pending traffic citations from municipalities within Fulton County.
“The purpose of the Amnesty Program is to help restore driving records for as many drivers as possible as well as to allow citizens to handle any outstanding charges, all at one time, often with reduced fines,” says State Court Chief Judge Diane Bessen.
“A valid driver’s license is a vital link to employment, independence and long-term individual and family stability,” according to Fulton County Solicitor Keith Gammage, “For those with unpaid traffic tickets, insurmountable court fines have led to the loss of the privilege to drive, leaving little realistic hope of ever climbing out from under it. This amnesty program can help relieve some of those barriers to success.”
Selected low-risk traffic charges were identified to take part in the Traffic Amnesty Program to be resolved without seeing a judge. However, some violations require a court appearance, such as no proof of insurance and failure to maintain insurance. In those instances, the citizen must come to the Fulton County State Court Amnesty Program Office to request a hearing with a judge. Citizens who wish to contest their outstanding traffic citations have the option of requesting a hearing as well.
“Any person who resolves an outstanding traffic citation through the Amnesty Program will receive documentation to submit to the Georgia Department of Driver Services or any other agency, if necessary, to assist in restoring a driving record.” says LeNora Ponzo, Chief Clerk of Fulton County State Court.
Amnesty Program Office, 160 Pryor St., SW, Suite J135, Atlanta. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
About the Author
