Chicken-Fried News: Fine, fine

If you have been avoiding paying fines for traffic violations in Oklahoma City for two years or more, congratulations — your strong-arm negotiation tactics are finally paying off.

Beginning this month, an Oklahoma City Council-approved amnesty program will allow drivers to resolve old citations and court fees, including failure to appear charges, for less than the original fine in some cases. Drivers citing financial difficulties might be eligible to have their costs waived or reduced after a hearing with a judge.

“People who have dragged their feet to pay a basic traffic ticket or show up for court will be able to settle for $155, a reduction from $613,” The Associated Press reported. “The cost of the same ticket for someone who pays on time is $172.”

If you are a non-foot-dragger prone to paying your traffic tickets on time, you might be feeling like a sucker right now, unless you consider not having a warrant out for your arrest for two years worth $17. If you have spent the past two years either riding the bus or riding dirty, you might be tempted to think this is some kind of trap, but according to the City of Oklahoma City’s website, municipal court administrator LaShawn Thompson said the amnesty program is simply intended to allow Oklahoma drivers to get back on the road and on with their lives.

Read more: https://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/chicken-fried-news-fine-fine/Content?oid=6330741