Virginia's traffic fines ranging from $750 to $3,000 are added to existing fines and court costs. The civil penalty for going 20 mph over the speed limit will be $1,050, plus $61 in court costs and a fine of $200. A first time DWI will get a $2,250 civil penalty plus fines and court costs. Driving without a valid license will be $900 civil penalty, plus $100 fine, plus court costs. Virginia is expected to raise over $65 million a year for the state. Is a BIG tax on the poor.
This is a general explanation of the new civil remedial fees. It has been preparedby staff of the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, which is the administrative office of the Virginia court system.
It has not been reviewed by the Justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia. It does not represent an order of or statementby the Supreme Court of Virginia. This general explanation is meant neither as legaladvice nor as a how to guide. Any questions regarding a courts assessment of the civilremedial fee in a particular instance should be directed to your attorney or to the courtassessing the fee.
During its 2007 Session, the General Assembly of Virginia passed House Bill3202 (Chapter 896), which was designed to provide additional funds to address various transportation needs in the Commonwealth.
The legislation requires agencies and branches of state government which implement parts ofthe legislation to make accessible to the public information about those efforts
We, the citizens of Virginia, are opposed to the outrageous and unjust traffic fines imposed as "civil remedial fees" in House Bill 3202 for the following reasons:
1. The fines inflict a punishment on drivers that is disproportionate to the degree of the offense they committed. 2. The fines are mandatory, and judges are given no discretion in sentencing. 3. The language of the bill states that the purpose is to "generate revenue" and hence the fines have nothing to do with traffic safety. 4. The bill's sponsor, Del. David Albo (R- 42nd District) is a partner in a law firm that specializes in traffic court cases and stands to benefit personally from this legislation. This type of conflict of interest should not be tolerated. 5. The fines in the bill apply ONLY to Virginia residents, hence unfairly creating different penalties for the same traffic offense based solely on residency. 6. In order to generate additional revenue, points for driving offenses remain on the offender's license for up to 11 years. This will unnecessarily increase the offender's insurance rates for a time frame that is incongruent with the degree of the offense.
We, the undersigned, demand the immediate repeal of these "civil remedial fees." We will not vote for any state Delegate or State Senator who voted for this bill, or for any Delegate or Senator who does not take action to repeal the sections of House Bill 3202 that inflict these exorbitant and unjust penalties.
