General Information

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Traffic Citations

We only accept payment and provide information for tickets issued in Charlotte County.

A civil traffic infraction is a non-criminal charge issued by a law enforcement officer in the form of a citation, or traffic ticket. In most instances, a civil traffic infraction may be disposed of by:

• The payment of a civil penalty, otherwise known as a fine.
• The election and completion of an authorized driver improvement course.
• A hearing before the Court.

You may request any of the above options by completing the Traffic Citation Option Form, then returning it to the Clerk of the Circuit Court within the time allowed.

Pay the Fine

If there is no court appearance required, and you wish to pay the penalty in full accepting the points (if applicable), you can complete the Traffic Option Form.

If the citation was issued for not carrying or exhibiting valid driver's license, or registration, or exhibit proof of insurance, valid proof must accompany the payment of a dismissal fee.

Methods of Payment:

• Online using credit or debit. We accept VISA, MASTER CARD, DISCOVER, OR AMERICAN EXPRESS. There is a credit card service fee added to your total.
• By mail, using a personal check, cashier’s check, money order, payable to Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court to our Punta Gorda location.
• In person at either location listed below, by using cash, cashier's check, or money order payable to Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court, credit or debit. We accept VISA, MASTER CARD, DISCOVER, OR AMERICAN EXPRESS. There is a credit card service fee added to your total.

School Election

Complete either the Traffic Option Form or the School Affidavit Form, then enclose this form with the school option payment amount. Information regarding schools is available on the Florida Department Of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.

• You may choose this option no more than once every 12 months, and no more than five (5) times in a lifetime.
• You must complete and return the Traffic Citation Option Form along with the fine payment and additional $7.00 School election fee to the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 30 calendar days from the date the citation or ticket was issued.
• School must be elected and fine paid within 30 calendar days from the date of your citation. School must be completed and the certificate of completion returned to the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 60 days from the date of payment.
• Failure to attend school timely and return your certificate of completion to the Clerk of the Circuit Court will result in points being assessed to your Driver License, additional monetary sanctions, and possible suspension of your driving privilege.
• You may attend any driver improvement course approved by the State of Florida in any county in Florida. For a list of approved driver improvement schools, visit the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle's Basic Driver Improvement Course Providers webpage.

Failure to pay within the required time period may result in suspension of your license, an assessment of reinstatement fees, and late fees. In addition, the case may be referred to a collection agency and can incur the collection agency fees.

Request a Court Hearing-Deny the Violation

• If you choose this option, our office will schedule you for a hearing before the county judge. The arraignment will be held at the Charlotte County Justice Center.
• If you enter a plea of Not Guilty at the arraignment hearing you will be scheduled for a trial hearing at the Charlotte County Justice Center.

Dismissals

If the citation was issued for not carrying or exhibiting

• valid driver's license
• registration
• exhibit proof of insurance

You may have the violation dismissed by providing proof of valid registration, driver's license, or insurance along with payment of the $10.00 fee to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller, within 30 days of the date the citation or ticket was issued. This option is only available in cases in which your registration, driver's license or insurance was valid at the time the citation or ticket was issued.

Dismissal for Disabled Parking Permit or License Tag Violation

You may have the violation dismissed by providing proof of valid disabled parking permit or disabled license plate with your payment of the $17.50 fee to the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 30 days of the date the citation or ticket was issued. This option is only available in cases in which your disabled parking permit or disabled license plate was valid at the time the citation or ticket was issued.

Non-Traffic Citations

For most non-traffic citation (Animal, Boating, Hunting, Fishing, Alarm, Tobacco, Code Enforcement). You have thirty (30) calendar days from the date you receive a non-traffic citation in order to elect one (1) of the following options below:

Options:

• Pay the penalty in full.
• Elect a court hearing.

You must choose one (1) option and submit to the Clerk's Office within (30) thirty calendar days to avoid possible late fees if applicable or court appearances.

Points Assessed

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller cannot offer any information on the number of points assessed against an individual's driver history record, or how points will affect insurance. Please address these concerns and questions with the Bureau of Driver Licenses and/or insurance agent.

Check Your Driver's License Status

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles offers a website where you can verify the status of your license by entering your license number. If your license is not valid, a brief explanation and some instructions will display.