Legal Question in Traffic Law in California

traffic fines

I recently received a cell phone ticket in california. The ticket cost was $40 but there was an additional $85 in fees added to the fine. The fees seem excessive as the total payment is 3x that of the actual ticket. Is this a violation of the 8th ammendment which prohibits excessive fines? If not, what is the ratio of additional court fees accessed to fines that is in violation of the ammendment? Can they just make up any number? thank you


Asked on 4/14/09, 10:54 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: traffic fines

California adds a penalty assessment to all fines. The amount of the penalty assessment increases on a nearly annual basis. That is the reason for the fine essentially tripling.

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Answered on 4/17/09, 12:16 am


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