FTA/FTP (Failure to Appear or Pay) Violations
FTA/FTP Violations
This section tells you about what happens if:
- you do not go to court when you are supposed to (failure to appear), or
- you do not pay your fine (failure to pay).
Pursuant to Penal Code 1214.1 an additional $100 Civil Assessment fee may be added to your case when you fail to appear and/or when you fail to pay your court ordered fine. Up to $200 in Civil Assessment fees may be added to your case and your case may be referred for collection.
Under certain conditions and time restraints, such as hospitalization, military service or incarceration (being in jail), you may ask the Court to vacate that additional fee by filing a Petition to Vacate the Civil Assessment. Written documentation must be submitted with the Petition.
You will be notified of the Court’s decision by mail. It is important that you supply the Court with your correct address and telephone number to ensure you receive the Court’s ruling on your request to Vacate the Civil Assessment. Click here for Civil Assessment Petition and Order form .
If you sign a citation or an agreement to appear at a court hearing and violate your written promise to appear at court, you have failed to appear. Your failure to appear may be deemed your consent to a Trial by Written Declaration (In Absentia) pursuant to VC 40903 .
A failure to appear may also result in your bail being increased, and a $100 Civil Assessment being imposed pursuant to PC 1214 .
If you don’t pay your fine before the court’s deadline, you have failed to pay. A failure to pay may also result in your bail being increased, a $100 Civil Assessment being imposed pursuant to PC 1214 , and your case being referred to collections.