Paying traffic tickets in Dallas only getting easier

by PegNews wire

Photo not provided by the Dallas Police Department

Now that paying tickets is so easy, police will feel free to issue citations with impunity.

Paying traffic citations is now a lot more convenient, thanks to the City of Dallas Court Services new e-Payment System.

“We want to give customers every possible opportunity to pay their tickets,” said Director of Court and Detention Services Gloria Carter. “We’re pleased to be able to offer this online option, which we believe will make paying traffic citations simpler and more convenient.”

To pay citations online, visit www.dallascityhall.com and click on “other tickets” in the left hand margin. After reading the “Terms and Conditions” page, click on “Make Payment” at the bottom of the page and enter the information on the citation. The system will provide a total due and accept payment by credit card or personal/business check.

This 24 hour convenience is in addition to the 24 hour, seven days a week window operation for handling Class C Misdemeanors at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center Lobby , 111 W. Commerce.

Source: Dallas City Hall

Staff
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Anonymous

Sweet! The only reason to drive the speed limit has finally been eliminated!

Look out, local school-children.

Pavel Lishin Verified

1 year, 9 months ago
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Are you able to request defensive driving or deferred adjudication online (if it's a moving violation)?

Scott Doyle Verified

1 year, 9 months ago
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Geez, Scott, I gave you the link -- least you could've done is clicked a couple of times and found this:

No online payments will be accepted for:
- Defensive Driving
- Deferred Adjudication
- Cash Bonds
- Juvenile Cases
- Payment Plans
- Payments for Individuals in Custody
  
  These cases must be handled in person at the court.

Alex Bentley Staff

1 year, 9 months ago
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I'm a busy man, Alex. Thanks for the info.

<a href="http://www.dallascityhall.com/courts/court_online_payments.html">Looks like</a> you can't even plead No Contest?

Pretty convenient that you can't do anything which actually benefits you from the online system. Thanks, Dallas City Hall! Welcome to your permanent position behind the curve, commonly known as the internets. I'd appreciate if you actually made online tools useful.

Scott Doyle Verified

1 year, 9 months ago
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Correction, seems you can make the No Contest plea just fine...but you're still found Guilty on the charge, unless I'm misinterpreting "disposition of Guilty".

Scott Doyle Verified

1 year, 9 months ago
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*"Pretty convenient that you can't do anything which actually benefits you from the online system."*

Yup-- The system is definitely engineered to maximize revenue. I've had a rant on this rattling around for a bit and here seems as good a place as any.

Here's the details of my recent case:

Car broke down near the West End. Rather than leave it in the street, even though it was a small side street, I pushed it off into a loading zone and called AAA.
Since AAA said it would take 45 mins for a truck to arrive and I was down there for a meeting, I put a sign on the window saying "Car stalled. Tow truck on the way." Included the time and went to my meeting.
Came out to find a parking ticket on top of my sign. Two sanitation workers came over and told me that they told the ticketer not to do it and pointed out my sign. They gave me their cell phone numbers and the number for parking adjudication.
I was told I had to go downtown for adjudication during business hours. I went on TWO different occasions during those hours and was sent away because they were shorthanded for the holidays.
On my third visit, I stayed the hour until someone could hear my case. They told me I had to produce proof from AAA that I had been towed for repairs in order for them to let me off. I offered on the spot to call my mechanic and the sanitation workers and got an angry "It's not my job to sit here while you build your case."
I'm a relatively busy guy, and missed the deadline to get my proof. At this point I'd sunk enough time into this that it cost more than the $30 ticket. So, on receiving a notice, I went online to pay it.
Online, it said I owed $20 more than the notice did -- and the dates were in synch. No way to ask, alter or change.
So the city managed to get $50 out of me plus about 4 hours of wasted time because I was too courteous to leave my car sitting in the middle of the street while I waited for a tow truck.

Mike Orren Staff

1 year, 9 months ago
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Ack. No bueno, Miko.

I know from past experiences -- of friends ahem -- that you simply mail in requests for defensive driving or deferred adjudication on moving violations, especially if you don't live anywhere near the court. Why can't this process be automated and done online? They play by the honor system otherwise, why not reduce cost and time for everyone involved? Especially since they allow DD to be taken online these days?

Makes no sense to Doyle, other than courts throwing their weight around b/c they can.

For those who aren't aware, defensive driving or deferred adjudication (basically moving violation probation) are common ways to keep speeding tickets from hitting your record (in TX).