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1. What types of cases are handled in Traffic Court?

The Traffic Division of the County Court handles criminal traffic cases, civil infractions and violations of county and municipal ordinances. The County Court Judge hears criminal traffic cases and ordinances. Civil infractions maybe heard by the County Court Judge or a hearing officer.

2. What is a criminal traffic charge?

A criminal traffic charge, such as driving under the influence, requires a court appearance and subjects a person to penalties that include a fine and/or the possibility of a jail term. Payment of the ticket cannot be made automatically to the Clerk's Office. Persons charged with a criminal offense, if not given a court date at the jail, will be mailed a notice of hearing.

If a court date is not received within 14 days it is recommended you contact the Clerk's office for information by calling 352-341-6424.

3. What is a civil traffic infraction?

Please refer to our Traffic Citation page.

4. When do I have to pay my ticket?

Infraction violations must be paid within 30 calendar days from the date the ticket was issued.

5. What if I can't pay my ticket within 30 days?

As of October 1st, within 30 days after the date of the issuance of the citation for non-criminal infractions, you may enter into a payment plan with the Clerk. There is a $25 administrative fee, which is due at the time the payment plan agreement is signed. You will be required to make monthly payments. For more information please refer to our Payment Plan page.

6. What happens if I don't pay my ticket on time?

A suspension will be entered against your driver's license, and this could affect your insurance rates and subject you to additional penalties. Further, your case will be referred to a collection agency for collection of the past due amounts.

7. Do I have other options besides just paying the ticket?

With payable civil infractions, you may enter a plea of not guilty; elect to attend a driver improvement course; or in some cases an Affidavit of Compliance along with a $93.75 dismissal fee if the case involves tag/DL regulations or $75.90 for Proof of compliance Insurance violations. Also, for tickets issued for no valid driver's license, no registration certificate, or no proof of insurance, the ticket can be dismissed for $10, if you are able to furnish proof that you had the document at the time you were charged and the document was valid.

8. How do I enter a not guilty plea to a civil traffic infraction?

You must notify the Clerk's Office, in person or in writing, within the required time period. Your case will be scheduled for an infraction hearing, at which you will be formally advised of the charge against you. If you enter a plea of not guilty by mail, you must provide your citation number, your correct mailing address, and a day-time telephone number. A notice of hearing will be mailed to you.

It is recommended that you contact our office the day prior to your infraction hearing at 352-341-6433, to verify that your case is still on the court docket and has not been rescheduled.

9. Who will be present at the hearing?

The officer who issued the traffic ticket, any witnesses called by the officer, and any witnesses you wish to call, will be present at the hearing.

10. What happens if the court finds me guilty?

If you are found guilty of a civil traffic infraction, the court may assess the fine and costs, order you to attend a defensive driving course, or impose other penalties. If you fail to pay the fine and costs in the time allotted by the court, a suspension will be issued against your driver's license and additional penalties will be imposed.

11. Can the Clerk's Office advise me about points assessed against my license?

No, deputy clerks cannot offer advice concerning the number of points assessed against your license or how points will affect your insurance. You must address these concerns with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and/or your insurance agent.

12. How do I figure out what I owe on my ticket?

Please be aware that, while a law enforcement officer may tell you a fine amount for a particular violation, Florida Statutes, court rules, and administrative orders require the payment of court costs for various traffic infractions. Current listings for fine amounts can been viewed on the Traffic Fine Schedule (PDF).

13. Why was my case/citation submitted to a collections agency?

The judge orders the fines and court costs to be paid in full within 5 business days after the court order or to enroll into a payment plan. Citation amounts are to be paid within 30 days after your citation was issued. Your driver's license may also be submitted for suspension for failure to pay.

If the amount remains unpaid after 90 days, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office shall send the remaining balance to a collections agency pursuant to Florida Statutes 28.246 and 938.29. Additional fees of 15% to the collections agency will be incurred at the time of submission.

14. What happens after my citation/case has been referred to a collections agency?

The collections agency will notify you of the referral and will collect the amount owed. Citrus County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office would not be able to clear the suspension of your driver's license until the full balance of your court fines/costs and the fees to the collections agency are paid in full.

15. Will this referral hurt my credit rating?

The collections agency may file with credit bureaus those accounts that remain unpaid. Failure to pay your court costs and/or traffic citations may affect your credit rating.

16. What happens to the money I pay for my traffic citation?

Section 318.21, Florida Statutes, entitled "Disposition of civil penalties by a county court," shows the distributions of all civil penalties.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Citrus County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office at 352-341-6424.