DA’s Office reinstates traffic fees and fines collection beginning Friday, October 7

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced the District Attorney’s Office will reinstate fines and fees for all traffic infractions and traffic diversions beginning Friday, October 7, 2022.

Defendants will again be responsible for both traffic court costs, currently $108, and for fines associated with the traffic infraction. The Douglas County fine schedule for traffic infractions can be found on the District Attorney’s website under Traffic Diversion or under Related Documents below.

Since March 2021, the District Attorney’s Office’s practice was to dismiss cases where the defendant did not have other misdemeanor charges or warrants and only court costs were imposed. The District Attorney’s Office will no longer dismiss cases that can be remedied through a traffic diversion for infractions such as speeding, failure to yield, etc., and associated fees and fines will be imposed.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office adapted some traffic court policies to accommodate the needs of our community,” District Attorney Valdez said. “As the pandemic recedes, it is now our intention to resume enforcement of our previous policies, and ask the court to impose the statutory fines for traffic infractions which serve as a deterrent and ensure safer roadways.”

Both traffic and criminal diversions continue to be an option for some offenses. The District Attorney’s Office is updating its website to reflect the diversion policy and application process: https://dgcoks.gov/depts/district-attorney/traffic-diversion-information.