Paying Fines

This section tells you about:

1. How do I pay my fine?
2. Where do I pay?
3. What if I have questions about my fine or statements?
4. What if I don’t pay my fine on time?
5. What is civil assessment?

1. How do I pay my fine?

   If the Court orders you to pay a fine, the judge will tell you to:

   • pay the fine by a certain date, or
   • make monthly payments.
2. Where do I pay?

   Look at the papers the court clerk gave you. Your papers say if you have to pay the Court where you had your case or the County of Santa Clara – Department of Tax and Collections .

   To pay the Court, mail a check, money order or cashier check to the address on your court paper. Do not mail cash.

   Make your check payable to: Clerk of the Superior Court. Write your court case number on your check in the memo area.

   To pay the County of Santa Clara – Department of Tax and Collections, click here to go to the Justice Accounts (Summary and Formal Probation) page on their website for information on how to make payments.

3. What if I have questions about my fine or statements?

   If you do not have a Probation Officer, call:
   (408) 299-4013

   If you do have a Probation Officer, call:
   (408) 299-8336

4. What if I don’t pay my fine on time?

   If you don’t pay your fine on time, the Court can put out a warrant for your arrest or proceed by Civil Assessment (see section below). If you need more time to pay, contact the County of Santa Clara – Department of Tax and Collections .

5. What is Civil Assessment?

   If you do not pay your fine on time, an extra fee may be added to your fine amount, and the County of Santa Clara – Department of Tax and Collections will start the process to collect the money you owe. Under certain conditions, such as being in the hospital or the military or in jail, you may ask the Court to "vacate" (cancel) the civil assessment fee. There is a form you can use to ask for this. Click here to open the Civil Assessment Petition and Order form .