Are traffic tickets filling up jails?

[BReeves]

Watching the news yesterday I saw a piece on how overcrowded our jails are. The officer they were interviewing said (paraphrased) part of the problem is people have quit paying traffic tickets and are being arrested on bench warrants.

I haven't had a traffic ticket in quite some time but from what I've heard the fines have really skyrocketed over the last several years. A ticket that might have been $35.00 several years ago is now $150 - $200.00. I see some city, county, state manager thinking we need to increase revenue so lets raise traffic fines. What they didn't understand is the average working Joe can't afford to pay a $150.00 ticket so he ends up in jail. The net result is actually a decrease in revenue plus the expense of the arrest and jail time.

I haven't researched the facts but the thought occurred to me that this may be a typical example of our city, county, state leaders shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[10Seconds]

Well, maybe. But I bet most people who get arrested with this will end up paying the ticket, plus the extra costs to stay out of jail, resulting in more revenue. Only a few will serve time over paying the ticket.

 

[davek]

I remember when speeding in a school zone resulted in a weekend in jail - bet they don't do that anymore.

 

[henschman]

Are traffic tickets filling up jails?

Nah not really, but victimless crimes are.

 

[DeerAssassin]

I got a ticket up in North Dakota in July of last year...16mph over, figured I was about to get a $300 ticket based on Oklahoma's prices. My jaw hit the floorboard when it said $60.

 

[ASP785]

I got a ticket up in North Dakota in July of last year...16mph over, figured I was about to get a $300 ticket based on Oklahoma's prices. My jaw hit the floorboard when it said $60.

Wow, $60? That is calculated risk in my book...

 

[DeerAssassin]

Wow, $60? That is calculated risk in my book...

Thats no joke. ND is just about the most desolate (yet beautiful) place i've ever been to in my life. I ran into the cop 10 miles from the state line, it was worth $60 to run 90-100 across that state. I just wish it wouldn't have gone against my record, i've gotten several tickets in OK dismissed but I couldn't exactly attend my court date in ND to get it deferred. Not a good deal for someone that just got his CDL.

 

[mhphoto]

My only ticket I got was around 2010 by OHP, and it was 1-10 over, $186. I was alone on the road on a windless day and not hurting a soul.

 

[connorkeef]

Following to closely = $149 in Norman.

 

[yukonjack]

The last ticket I got was in 1980. It's easier and cheaper just to abide by the speed limits and other traffic laws. Never saw the point in giving more money to the government then I had to.