Paying Your Traffic Ticket

Okay. You were pulled over and received a traffic ticket from a Connecticut police officer. Here are your choices in terms of how to handle it:

• You can pay your fine by mail via the envelope enclosed with the ticket. If you have lost the envelope, you can send a check or money order to:
  • Centralized Infractions Bureau
  • P.O. Box 5044
  • Hartford, CT 06102-5044

  Make sure to write your ticket number on the check or money order. By sending in the money, you are agreeing to a guilty plea for the infraction or violation, which will go on your driving record.

• Plead not guilty by calling (860) 529-9061, or reply to the charges using the envelope enclosed with your ticket. If you've lost the envelope, mail your own envelope to:
  • Centralized Infractions Bureau
  • P.O. Box 5044
  • Hartford, CT 06102-5044

Either way, make sure you respond by the answer date printed on your ticket. If you do not respond by the answer date, you may face the following:

• If your ticket is for a motor vehicle infraction, the Department of Motor Vehicles will suspend your license until payment is made, will charge you an additional $60 in court costs, and will also likely charge you a $125 license restoration fee.

• If your ticket is for a non-motor vehicle infraction, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

Pleading Not Guilty

If you choose to plead not guilty to a traffic violation for which you've been issued a ticket, here is what happens:

• The case is transferred to court in the area where your ticket was issued. It may go to either Superior Court or traffic court. If your case goes to Superior Court, you will be summoned to appear before a judge on a specific date to explain why you believe you are not guilty of the violation. If your case goes to traffic court, you may have the option of addressing your case via mail.

• Either way, you will need to have an explanation prepared and a solid argument as to why the ticket should not have been issued to you. If you go to Superior Court and are found guilty of the violation, you will be charged $44 in court costs in addition to the original ticket.

Traffic Fines

Traffic fines in Connecticut vary widely according to the violation, the number of violations on the driver's record, and factors such as speed.