What can I do when I get a traffic ticket?
- If you have been given a voluntary assessment ticket (check your
ticket to see whether you have been offered a voluntary assessment),
you may either:
- If you have not been offered or have not agreed to a voluntary assessment,
you must appear in court at the time, date, and place indicated on your
ticket.
How do I pay by voluntary assessment?
You may pay by mail, fax, phone, online, or in person.
You must pay the total amount in full in U.S. dollars within 30 days of
the date you received the ticket. If you are unable to pay in full, you
should call the voluntary assessment center. Do not send a partial payment
to the Voluntary Assessment Center. In most cases, tickets and payments
should be mailed to the Justice of the Peace Court Voluntary Assessment
Center. However, you should check the front of your ticket for information
as to where to mail your ticket (or where you must appear in court) to
be sure that the information given below applies in your case.
Pay By Mail:
Enclose a copy of the ticket and a check or money order or credit card (fill in the credit card information on the place indicated on your ticket-it may be on the back). If you are paying by check or money order, write the ticket number on it and make it out to "State of Delaware" Do not mail cash. If a receipt is needed, you should send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment. Mail to the following address: State of Delaware - Voluntary Assessment Center,
P.O. Box 7039,
Dover, DE 19903
Pay By Fax:
Payment must be made by credit card. Fax a copy of your ticket (with credit card information filled out) to 302-739-7590. If the credit card information is located on the back of your ticket, be sure to send a copy of the BACK as well.
Pay By Phone:
Payment must be made by credit card. Be sure to have a copy of your
ticket with you so that you can give the ticket number and other information
to the clerk. Phone 302-739-6911.
Pay Online:
Payment may be made by credit card or electronic check. You must have either a ticket number or case number and the last name of the defendant. To make an ePayment, please click here.
Pay In Person:
Payment may also be made in person to the nearest Justice
of the Peace Criminal Court.
Will I be assessed points on my driver's license if I pay by voluntary
assessment?
Pursuant to Division of Motor Vehicles Policy #45, you will not be assessed
points on your Delaware driver's license if you pay by voluntary assessment and:
- Your ticket was for a speeding violation from 1-14 miles per hour
over the posted speed; and
- You have not been convicted of a speeding violation within the previous
three years.
If you do not meet the above requirements, you will be assessed points
[http://www.dmv.de.gov] in accordance
with the policies of the Division of Motor Vehicles. The Court does not
assess points.
What do I do if I received a voluntary assessment
ticket but decide I want to plead "not guilty"?
If you decide to plead not guilty after receiving a voluntary assessment, you are requesting a court trial and must appear in court to defend the charge(s). To plead not guilty, sign where indicated on the ticket and mail the ticket or fax both sides of the ticket at the address or fax number indicated above BY THE COURT DATE INDICATED. If you fax the ticket, you should call 302-739-6911 to confirm receipt.
What is Delaware's Probation Before Judgment program?
If you are required or choose to go to court and are eligible, you may
be able to participate in the probation
before judgment program. Eligibility for probation before judgment is limited. You are not eligible if you have been convicted of the same offense previously or have been placed on probation before judgment for any other offense within the last five years. Even if you are eligible, it is in the Court's discretion, with the prosecution's consent, whether you will be allowed to enter into the probation before judgment program. Under probation before judgment, you are placed on probation under the conditions set by the Court. If you successfully complete those conditions, you are discharged from probation without any judgment of conviction (which also means that points are not assessed). (Holders of commercial driver's licenses are not eligible for probation before judgment whether or not the holder was driving a commercial vehicle at the time the ticket was received.)
What happens after I return my ticket indicating I want to plead "not
guilty"?
You will be notified of the location, date, and time for your appearance
in the Justice of the Peace Court (or Court of Common Pleas, if applicable).
What happens when I go to court?
Most traffic offenses are handled as criminal
offenses. Be sure to bring all documents you will need to Court, including
the ticket and proof of insurance at the time of the offense. If you plan to have witnesses at trial, you may need to have a subpoena issued.
Will I be assessed points on my driver's license if I go to court?
- If you are found not guilty, you will not be assessed any points.
- If you are found guilty, you will be assessed points in accordance
with the policies of the Division of
Motor Vehicles
- If you participate in probation
before judgment and complete any required conditions, you will not
be assessed points if you meet any required conditions.
Can I appeal if I am found guilty after going to court?
- If you were convicted in a Justice of the Peace Court, you may appeal
your conviction to the Court
of Common Pleas within 15 days of your conviction only if your fine
exceeds $100 or you are given any term of imprisonment.
- If you were convicted in an Alderman's Court, you may appeal any
conviction to the Court of Common Pleas within 15 days of your conviction.
Will my insurance company raise my premiums?
- Insurance companies usually check driving records before issuing a
new policy. Your driving record will show if you have paid a fine or
if you have been found guilty of a traffic offense. However, by law,
a violation of a traffic signal as the result of a traffic control monitoring
system, may not be made part of your driving record, nor used for insurance
purposes, if you pay the assessment or are found guilty.
- Decisions about premiums are up to the insurance company.
What should I do if I have lost my ticket?
- Call the Voluntary Assessment Center at 302-739-6911;
- Or if you received the ticket in a municipality, you may try calling
the Alderman's Court in the appropriate municipality listed below:
Bethany Beach - (302) 537-3891
Dewey Beach - (302) 227-6363
Laurel - (302) 875-2855
Newark - (302) 366-7028
Newport - (302) 994-6403
Rehoboth - (302) 227-7917
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