More Georgia traffic ticket amnesty in DeKalb County
Hundreds stood in long lines Tuesday waiting to pay old parking and traffic tickets before the DeKalb County amnesty program ends and prosecution of scofflaws, with warrants issued and interest charged, begins.
There is a backlog of approximately 500,000 cases and the courts insist that, while it will take a while, they will get through the entire backlog. Admittedly, the courts are short staffed and their computers out of date.
While those speaking on behalf of the courts claim it was a change in administration that has motivated the push to collect on old Dekalb County traffic violations and parking tickets, the individuals paying the tickets don’t see it that way.
Some feel it is related to the bad economy and that it is an easy way to generate revenue. Others think having to take a day off and wait in line to pay tickets which can be as small as $15 to be silly.
While many may complain, I have to ask: Why didn’t they pay the tickets when they were first issued? It’s hard to blame someone for trying to collect on an old debt.
Submitted by NY traffic attorney Scott Feifer
