With Assembly Bill (AB) 199 enacted into law and effective July 1, 2022, the San Diego Superior Court has reduced civil assessment fees added to criminal and traffic cases and removed outstanding civil assessments imposed prior to July 1, 2022.

Civil assessments are authorized by California Penal Code Section 1214.1 and can be applied to defendants who fail to appear in court or who fail to pay their fines. As of July 1, 2022, civil assessments may be imposed in amounts up to $100 for criminal and traffic cases.

A list of case numbers with vacated civil assessments was posted to the Court’s website earlier this month.

Individuals with outstanding traffic cases have several options for paying their fine, which no longer includes a civil assessment fee (before July 1, 2022) or may include a reduced civil assessment fee (July 1, 2022, and later):

• Pay online at sdcourt.ca.gov/Traffic – pay the full amount due or set up a payment plan.
• Pay by mail – send in a credit card authorization form or a check/money order (do not send cash).
• Pay in person – use the Express Drop Boxes at the appropriate court location to drop off a credit card authorization form or a check/money order (do not drop off cash).

More information on how to resolve traffic cases is available online at sdcourt.ca.gov/Traffic or by visiting the Traffic business office at the appropriate courthouse location.