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Important Information about your
Traffic Citation
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A Traffic Arraignment is a court hearing. This is your opportunity to resolve your traffic citations in one court visit. You will see a judge that day. Please ensure that you bring your citations and documents you wish to show the court.
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The date and time indicated on the bottom of your citation is your Traffic Arraignment date. You must appear in court on that date and time, unless you resolve your citation(s) by 4:00 p.m. the day before your Traffic Arraignment date. You may resolve your citation(s) by:
- Paying your citation(s);
- or Registering for Driver Improvement School, if permitted; and/or
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Providing documentation, which will permit the court to dismiss your citation(s). |
ALL CITATIONS FROM A SINGLE STOP MUST BE RESOLVED TOGETHER, EITHER AT THE METRO COURT VIOLATIONS DIVISION OR AT YOUR TRAFFIC ARRAIGNMENT.
PAYING YOUR CITATION(S)
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Pay your citation(s) in advance of your Traffic Arraignment date by:
- Calling and paying with a credit card. VISA or MASTERCARD Only; or:
- Mailing payment along with the citation(s) to:
Metropolitan Court, Violations Division
P.O. Box 133
Albuquerque, N.M. 87103
Your payment must be received before your Traffic Arraignment date or your payment will be returned, a BENCH WARRANT will be issued for your arrest, an additional $100 warrant fee will be assessed and your license will be suspended
(The court is not responsible for mail delays); or
- Paying in person at the Metro Court Violations Division.
NOTE: If you cannot afford the fines and fees on a payable citation, you can request to perform community service hours or make payments. |
If the “Penalty Assessment” box is checked on your citation, you must remit by mail the penalty assessment specified by the officer. The address is noted on the back of your citation. The citation CANNOT be scheduled for a Traffic Arraignment.
If the “Court Appearance” box is checked on your citation, you must appear in person in Metro Court Violations Division on the date indicated on your citation.
DO NOT MAIL COURT APPEARANCE OR TRAFFIC ARRAIGNMENT CITATIONS TO THE SANTA FE MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT (MVD)
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DRIVING IMPROVEMENT SCHOOL IS AN OPTION AVAILABLE ONLY TO THOSE WHO ELECTED TO APPEAR IN COURT, AND HAVE NOT ATTENDED THE SCHOOL WITHIN THE LAST 18 MONTHS.
THIS IS NOT AN OPTION THE DEPUTY HAS ANY CONTROL OVER..
The court offers Driving Improvement School to eligible individuals for some moving violations. Attendance to the school can keep points from being added to your driving record, which may effect your privilege to drive and your insurance rates. The cost of the school is $68.00, including fees. If eligible, you may register for Driving Improvement School while at court, or by calling 841-8151 (or) by appearing in person at the Metro Court Violations Division by 4:00 P.M. the day before your traffic arraignment date. |
PROVIDING DOCUMENTATION FOR DISMISSAL
YOU MAY HAVE YOUR CITATION(S) DISMISSED IF YOU PRESENT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO THE METRO COURT VIOLATIONS DIVISION. THIS MUST BE DONE NO LATER THAN 4 P.M. THE DAY BEFORE YOUR TRAFFIC ARRAIGNMENT DATE.
No Registration/No License Plate: Proof of current registration.
Suspended/No Driver’s License: Proof of your valid NM driver’s license.
Defective Equipment, i.e. Broken Tail Lights, Broken Headlights, Broken Windshield & Window Tint/Sunscreen: Proof you have replaced/repaired the light(s). If you have made this repair yourself, a receipt listing the specific item(s) purchased. An invoice, from an automotive business verifying windshield repair or verifying required repairs.
Failure to Change Name/Address on License: Bring your valid NM driver’s license that has your current information. |
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No Insurance Citations: Bring the insurance card that indicates you had insurance on the date and time of the issuance of the citation to the Metro Court Violations Division.
At the time your card is presented, court staff will contact your insurance company to verify coverage.
If you did not have insurance on the date and time of the issuance of the citation, fine and fees of $143 will be charged at the Metro Court Violations Division.
If you appear before a judge on this citation and you are found Guilty, the Metro Court Judges’ policy is to impose the following:
- First Offense ............................... $163 in costs and fees
- Second Offense............................ $263 in costs and fees
- Subsequent Offense ...................... $363 in costs and fees
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BRING YOUR COPY OF THE CITATION (S) WITH YOU TO COURT
- Be inside the courtroom 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time
- Cellular phones and pagers must be turned off
- Hats must be removed
- No gum chewing, food or drink
- Proper attire should be worn
- Do not talk in the courtroom
- No newspapers or reading materials allowed
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The following amounts reflect the current statutory fine and $43 in fees when paid at the Metro Court Violations Division:
SPEED – 1 to 10 miles over .......................................$ 58
SPEED – 11 to 15 miles over .....................................$ 73
SPEED – 16 to 20 miles over .................................... $108
SPEED – 21 to 25 miles over .................................... $143
SPEED – 26 to 30 miles over .................................. ..$168
SPEED – 31 to 35 miles over ................................... .$193
SPEED – 36 and up ............................................... $243
Stop Sign ...........................................................$ 53
Red Light ...........................................................$ 53
Failure to Yield .....................................................$ 53
Signal Required ....................................................$ 53
No Head Light......................................................$ 68
Following Too Close ...............................................$ 53
Child Restraint .....................................................$ 68
Seatbelt ............................................................$ 68
Defective Windshield..............................................$ 68
No Tail Lights/Headlights .........................................$ 68 |
The amount of the fines and fees reflect the current state of the law and are subject to change by the legislature.
If your case is not resolved at the Traffic Arraignment and a Judge hears your cases and you are found guilty, an additional $20 in court costs will be added to the above listed amounts. § 35-6-1, NMSA 1978.
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METROPOLITAN COURT LOCATION: |
401 Roma NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
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METROPOLITAN COURT MAILING ADDRESS: |
Violations Division
P.O. Box 133
Albuquerque, NM 87103 |
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COURTHOUSE HOURS FOR PAYMENT: |
Monday - Friday
In person 7 AM to 5 PM • Phone 8 AM to 5 PM |
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METROPOLITAN COURT WEB ADDRESS: |
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If the Officer was unable to give you a Traffic Arraignment date, you will need to come to Metropolitan Court to set a Traffic Arraignment date within 10 days from the date you received your citation. Bring your copy of the citation.
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