California governor pitches amnesty on traffic debt for poor

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

California governor pitches amnesty on traffic debt for poor

By JUDY LIN, Associated Press | May 23, 2015 | Updated: May 23, 2015 11:00am

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Calling California's traffic court system a "hellhole of desperation" for the poor, Gov. Jerry Brown is proposing an amnesty program for residents who can't afford to pay off spiraling fines and penalties that have resulted in 4.8 million driver's license suspensions since 2006.

The push by the Democratic governor spotlights concern among lawmakers and court administrators that California's justice system is profiting off minorities and low-income residents. It's a civil rights issue that has prompted discussions between the Brown administration and the U.S. Department of Justice, according to the governor's spokesman, Evan Westrup.

. . .

Under Brown's plan, drivers with lesser infractions would pay half of what they owe, and administrative fees would be slashed from $300 to $50.

Advocates for the poor have likened California's problem to the police and municipal court structure in Ferguson, Missouri, which was criticized by the Justice Department as a revenue-generating machine following last year's fatal shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/California-governor-pitches-amnesty-on-traffic-6282841.php

[cosmicone]

1. A lot of cities like San Ramon consider traffic is profit center

San Ramon (population 50,000) has more cops per capita than Oakland and only a 1/20th crime rate. All these cops also get OT for attending court when someone challenges a traffic ticket.

No wonder San Ramon's city manager is paid more than the city managers of San Francisco and San Jose.

The cities that issue tickets should not get a dime of the fines and fees - period. It is a major conflict of interest.

[Joe Chi Minh]

9. An absolutely pivotal point.

[jwirr]

2. I am very glad to hear that. I had suggested that Furguson MO should do that as most of their

fines that are overdue are because of the harassment of the people there.

[cstanleytech]

3. They should change the fines so its a % of a persons gross income which imo is far more fair. nt

[Big_Mike]

5. So you want to base it off of gross income

What are you going to do, make them bring in their 1040? That makes their taxes PUBLIC documents. No, it ain't gonna happen.

How about families like mine, where I make good money, but pay over 35% of my income for my terminally ill wife's medical bills? You going to add to that burden?

This is a bad idea, with only bad outcomes possible.

If you don't want big bills in traffic court, follow the damn laws!

[cstanleytech]

6. Something similar is done in Sweden.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/multimillionaire-faces-130-000-speeding-ticket-article-1.1486072
What it means is those who earn very little pay enough that it stings a bit so as to discourage them from doing it again but its not enough to cripple them since its based on their wealth and those that earn alot pay alot more of course but like the person who is poor its enough of a sting so hopefully they wont do it again.

[christx30]

12. It's not a matter of people

choosing not to follow the law. It's usually a matter of a mistake that lands you in a world of hurt. A $50 fine plus a $300 administration fee can wreck someone's while budget.
If A few years ago, I was supplementing my income delivering newspapers. I'll get about $500 a month minus gas. I would do 10 hours per night at my day job, followed by 3 to 4 hours doing the newspaper thing. Suffice it to say I was tired all the time.
So I accidently failed to yield in a dark side street at 3am. Was trying to get done with my route as fast as I could, so I could get 5 hours of sleep instead of 4 1/2. It was seen by a pig who stopped me, issued me a ticket, and erased all hope of making any money that month so I could take care of my family. And because I was under a contract, I couldn't just quit. I finished the last 3 weeks of that month as a volunteer for the Dallas morning news.

[freshwest]

4. K&R

[historylovr]

7. K & R

Excellent idea.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

8. K & R

Its a step in the right direction.

[cally]

10. I hope this passes--the current system is corrupt

and unfair

[Starry Messenger]

11. K&R

[rafeh1]

13. gov brown trying to repeal

gov brown trying to repeal innocent until you run out of money?