Civil Traffic

A Civil traffic infraction is a non-criminal violation, not punishable by jail, and which usually can be disposed of by payment of a civil penalty or election to attend a basic driver improvement course. A court appearance is not required, except in cases where the violation involves an accident with serious bodily injury or a fatality, violations of leaving a child in a vehicle unattended, going more than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit, or littering. Payment can be made by mail or in person at the Clerk’s Office in the county where the infraction occurred.

The Clerk’s Office also accepts credit/debit cards, Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover. However, when using one of these cards, there is a non-refundable charge of 3.5% as of July 1, 2009, to provide this service. The Clerk’s Office does not receive any part of this fee.

Some citations can be paid online through myfloridacounty.com. There is a non-refundable charge of 3.5% as of July 1, 2009, to provide this service. The Clerk’s Office does not receive any part of this fee.

All Civil Traffic Infractions must be paid within 30 days from the date the ticket was issued. After 30 days, if the citation has not been paid, a delinquent fee will be added, your driver’s license will be suspended, and you will not be eligible to elect to attend the defensive driving course. Additionally, after 90 days, the unpaid fees will be turned over to a collection agency, and additional fees will be assessed.

For certain infractions (as set forth in section 318.14(9) of the Florida Statutes), you may, in lieu of a court appearance, elect to attend a basic driver improvement course, in which case adjudication will be withheld and points will not be assessed against your driving record. This election must be made within 30 days of the citation being issued. This election includes paying the civil penalty associated with the citation, signing an affidavit and entering a plea of nolo contendere.

However, you may not make such an election if you have already done so in the preceding 12 months. You also may not make more than 5 such elections during your lifetime.

If you exercise the option of receiving a withheld adjudication pursuant to sections 318.14(9) & 6.360 of the Florida Rules of Traffic Court, you will have 60 days from the date you sign the affidavit to fulfill the statutory requirement of providing proof of compliance (driver improvement course completion certificate) to the Clerk of Court and Comptroller.

Local parking tickets must be paid within 30 days from the date the ticket was issued. Local parking violations are ones which are not issued on a Uniform Traffic Citation. Local parking tickets may affect your driver license and the renewal of your vehicle registration if left unpaid. Additionally, unpaid parking violations will be turned over to a collection agency.

Tickets must be satisfied in the county in which they were issued. Clerks of Court in the State of Florida.

You may pay the amount due plus the required delinquent fee if your license is suspended for failure to pay a civil infraction in Marion County. 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.