Traffic or parking tickets that may have slipped under the car seat or civil infraction fines that may have missed the regular bill-paying schedules can now be paid without penalty at Ferndale, Madison Heights, and Hazel Park’s 43rd District Court. Violators must contact the court during the “Amnesty Period” from March 1, 2021, to April 9, 2021.

Chief Judge Joseph Longo has instituted this Amnesty Program to encourage individuals to clear up any delinquent payable citations. In many cases, these delinquencies have continued long enough to cause bench warrants or default judgments to be issued. As an incentive to clear these matters, Judge Longo has authorized that the $100 bench warrant fee and any additional late fees be waived for this amnesty period. Additionally, the $35 default judgment fee and 20% late fee penalty will be waived on suspended civil infractions. However, for those who have had their license suspended by the Michigan Department of State, the $45.00 clearance fee must still be paid.

“Often violators have made an honest mistake, were in a difficult situation, or simply forgot to pay the ticket, and, after time has passed, are embarrassed or find it financially more difficult to pay the added penalties and fees,” Judge Longo explained. “While the Court will ultimately pursue these delinquencies through more rigorous methods, this program gives individuals a chance to have those additional fees 'forgiven.' This ultimately saves the Court and the City the additional cost of pursuing the delinquencies. This is a rare opportunity for people to achieve payment compliance and save money, while also reducing the Court’s cost of pursuing delinquent violators."

Individuals can contact the court for details from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Payable traffic violations, parking tickets, and civil infractions are included. Tickets must be paid in full by money order or major credit card. This will be the only opportunity to have these fees waived.  

For more information, please contact Court Administrator Linda Carroll at (248) 547-8700.