Harsh Policies and Practices At Court Collections Dept.

Hello,

I want to start getting some people together to attempt to influence the Sonoma County Superior Court to change/modify the harsh manner in which they operate the Court Collections Department.

I don't have time to work on this, but I want to make some time.

Traffic tickets will fairly rapidly make their way to Court Collections if people do not show up to traffic court or pay the steep fine(s).

The fines are then increased to an even more outrageous amount and a hold is placed on a person's drivers license.
One can then legally drive for a while until it is time to renew their driver's license.

The collection staff does not often inform people of one option they often have available to get the case out of the trap of the court collection department.

I just gave one man the information that the collection dept. staff members denied him, and after he confronted them in a polite but determined manner, he now will most likely win! The manner will either be dismissed or it will be reduced from over $500.00 to a $25.00 fine that they gouge citizens with after a "fix it" matter is repaired.

These shameful practices are burdening to many people who are already experiencing many difficulties in their lives.

Please call me at 707/583-2390
to bring attention to these unjust and abusive practices.

This system traps and harms many working poor and those struggling to survive.

Thanks much!

So what is the "info/fix"? Please share with everyone... this seems a like a good forum to inform...

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by Mr. Natural:

I want to start getting some people together to attempt to influence the Sonoma County Superior Court to change/modify the harsh manner in which they operate the Court Collections Department....

---

I suggest that anyone wondering about this get informed by visiting the payment options page on the website. Simply put, I don't agree with this post.

In fact, as I have experienced myself, there are several options available and most times it is not necessary to show up in court. Options include attending traffic school, getting extensions for time to pay the fine, and requesting a determination of financial hardship that can result in a lesser fine, a payment plan, or community service in lieu.
In other words, Court Collections is the last stop and there are steps beforehand that anyone can take.

If I have one complaint, it is that this information is printed in small, faint print on the ticket and/or one must be savvy enough to go to the website and check this info out. One suggestion I have is that when we are ticketed, this should be explained to us and that when the County is ready to reprint the ticket forms, they ensure that this info is clear and readable in the future.

If you believe you have a complaint about the civil and/or criminal justice system, you might file a complaint with the Grand Jury, which is obligated to review every complaint filed with it. You can even serve on the Grand Jury.

Information here:

https://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/info/ad...ion/grand-jury