Paying Your Traffic Ticket

Got a ticket? It happens. Maybe a "no turn" sign didn't catch your eye, or you rolled a stop sign instead of coming to the full, legal stop. Or maybe you were moving along at a little over the posted speed limit, and not paying attention.

Whatever the situation, you now have a traffic ticket.

In Alaska, if you are issued a traffic ticket, you have five working days from the date on the ticket to respond, unless the ticket indicates a specific date on the bottom front section. If that is the case, then you must appear on that particular date.

Pay the Fine in Person or by Mail

In court, you have the choice to plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest, to the charges indicated on the traffic ticket.

If you have been charged with an offense that does not require a court appearance, you may plead "no contest" and the whole issue may be handled by mail. However, the violation will appear on your driving record, and, if applicable, points will be entered against your record. For more information on driving records, see our section on the DMV point system.

If you want handle the ticket by mail, simply checkmark the "no contest" box on the back of the ticket, enclose a check or money order for the fine amount as indicated, and mail the ticket and the payment to the address as indicated on the ticket. Be sure to write the ticket number and your driver's license number on your check or money order.

If the ticket was issued by a state trooper, mail the ticket and your check to:

• Traffic Division

• 303 K St.

• Anchorage, AK 99501

If you received your ticket from an Anchorage police officer, mail the ticket and your check or money order to:

• Anchorage Police Department

• 4501 South Bragaw

• Anchorage, AK 99507

In all other areas, check the ticket to determine the mailing address of the local court.

Pay Online

Certain courts are set up to accept the payment of traffic tickets (not parking tickets) online:

• Anchorage

• Barrow

• Cordova

• Delta Junction

• Fairbanks

• Fort Yukon

• Glennallen

• Galena

• Healy

• Kotzebue

• Nenana

• Nome

• Palmer

• Sand Point

• Tanana

• Tok

• Unalakleet

• Valdez

Mandatory Court Appearance

If when the ticket was written, the officer did not indicate a bail amount on the ticket, and if the ticket is marked as "mandatory court appearance," you will be required to go to court to resolve the ticket. The ticket will indicate the address of the court facility.

Traffic Court

In order to enter a plea of "not guilty" on your traffic ticket, you must check the corresponding box on the back of the traffic ticket. Next, mail a copy of your signed ticket to either the Traffic Division (for Trooper tickets) at:

• Traffic Division

• 303 K St.

• Anchorage, AK 99501

Or, to the address that is indicated on the ticket if your ticket was issued by a police officer rather than a State Trooper.

If you have requested a trial, you will receive notice by mail from the Traffic Division, with the date and time you must appear in court. It will direct you to the court facility for your area. Remember, if you are under the age of 18, you must bring a parent or guardian with your to traffic court. Depending on the offense, you might want to consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney to represent you.

Traffic court issues in Alaska are heard by a magistrate. If you have requested a trial for your traffic offense, be aware that Alaska does not hear traffic cases before a jury, unless it is a specific issue such as DUI or a repeat misdemeanor type of offense. You may still have an attorney represent you, even if your case is not tried before a jury.

How to Appeal a Court Decision

If your case is heard in court, and you are issued a verdict that you still feel is unfair, you may begin the process of an appeal. In order to do this, you must first file a written Notice of Appeal at the Appeals Counter of your local traffic court facility within 30 days of the date the judge or magistrate rendered the decision.

Failure to Appear

Failure to appear for a traffic ticket makes things worse. Here's what happens if you do fail to appear without an excellent reason:

• A "default judgment" will be filed against you for the maximum penalty (monetary or otherwise) as allowed by law, plus an additional $50 in court and collection costs, plus any surcharge that may be required by law.

• A warrant will be issued for your arrest, plus and additional fee of $75 for the warrant will be assessed.

If you have encountered a problem and know that you will not be able to make your hearing, call the Traffic Division of your local court facility between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or stop by the Traffic Division in person to discuss the issue with a court representative.

Collecting on a Failure to Appear

In addition, if your offense involves a moving violation, point will be entered against your driving records, which could result in increased insurance premiums, a warning letter, or in some cases, the suspension or even the permanent loss of your driver's license.

Traffic School

Depending on the charges, you will most likely be permitted to attend traffic school in place of pleading guilty and having points entered against your driving record. Check with the Traffic Division of your local court facility to determine what you must do in order to attend traffic school, and to find out if you must first pay the fine as indicated on the ticket.