Traffic Department
Types of Cases
Criminal Traffic Charges
A criminal traffic charge, such as driving under the influence, requires a court appearance and subjects a person to penalties which include a fine and/or the possibility of a jail term. Payment of the ticket cannot be made automatically to the Clerk’s Office.
Civil Traffic Infractions
A civil traffic infraction is a non-criminal charge that usually can be disposed of by payment of a civil penalty or an election to attend a defensive driving course. A court appearance is not required, except in cases where the violation involves an accident with serious bodily injury to another.
Payment can be made by mail by using the traffic envelope provided by the officer; by mailing the payment to the Traffic Department, P.O. Drawer 510, Marianna, Florida 32447; by paying in person at the Traffic Division of the Clerk’s office; or by phone with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express at (855) 984-1187. You can also pay online.
Infraction violations must be paid within 30 calendar days from the date the ticket was issued.
A suspension will be entered against your driver’s license, which could affect your insurance rates and subject you to additional penalties.
Yes, payable civil infractions may be satisfied by entering a plea of not guilty, by electing to attend a driver improvement course, or by submitting an Affidavit of Compliance in cases involving safety equipment violations that you have corrected.
Also, traffic tickets issued for failure to carry and exhibit a driver’s license, no registration certificate, or no proof of insurance can be dismissed for $10.00 if you furnish proof that you had the document at the time you were charged.
You must notify the Clerk’s Office, in person or by phone, within the 30-day required time period. Your case will be scheduled for an infraction hearing, at which you will be formally advised of the charge against you. You may change your plea at that time, and the hearing will take place.
The officer who issued the traffic ticket, any witnesses called by the officer, and any witnesses you wish to call will be present at the hearing.
If you are found guilty of a civil traffic infraction, the court may assess the fine and costs up to $500.00, order you to attend a defensive driving course, or impose other penalties. If you fail to pay the fine and costs within the time allotted by the court, a suspension will be issued against your driver’s license, and additional penalties will be imposed.
No, deputy clerks cannot offer advice concerning the number of points assessed against your license or how points will affect your insurance. You must address these concerns to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and/or your insurance agent.
Defensive Driving School
If you would like to take the driver improvement course to keep the points off your license, view the information below.
Convenient online reporting lets traffic schools automatically report course completions to DHSMV so the Driver License offices can view students who complete Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE), Basic Driver Improvement (BDI, TCAC, Red Light), and Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI). No paper certificates are accepted at driver’s license offices.
To learn more about Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) and approved courses, please visit flhsmv.gov.
A person charged with a moving violation may be eligible to attend a defensive driving course. A person charged with a violation involving driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, or leaving a child under the age of 6 unattended in a vehicle is not eligible.
If you possess a commercial driver’s license or you are charged with speeding 30 mph over the limit, you are not eligible to elect defensive driving school.
There are two benefits. One, no points will be assessed against your driver’s license. Two, attending a defensive driving course to satisfy the violation will be entered on your driver’s history record as an “adjudication withheld.”
School costs vary, depending on the school you attend. You must pay the civil penalty for the offense, plus the costs for the driving course; the civil penalty is required by law. There is also a cost for the driving course.
You may visit the Jackson County Clerk’s Office to make your election, or make your election by mail. You may also make your election online at myfloridacounty.com.
You must enroll, attend, and complete an approved driving course within 60 calendar days from the date you elect to attend. You must pay for the course at the time you enroll.
Whether you attend a defensive driving school in Jackson County, online, or in another County in the State of Florida, you must present proof of completion of the driving course to the Jackson County Clerk’s Office within 60 calendar days of the date you elect to attend the course. Other ways of submission include:
- By Fax at (850) 718-0569
- By Mail
- By Email at clerkmail@jacksonclerk.com
Failure to comply will result in suspension of the driver’s license and additional fines.
Do not rely on the driving school to submit proof of course completion to the clerk’s office; it is your responsibility!
If you elect to attend a defensive driving course, you must complete the course and submit your completion certificate to the Jackson County Clerk’s Office within 60 calendar days of your election.
If you fail to meet any of these requirements for any reason, you will pay an $18.00 Processing Fee plus a $23.00 Suspension Fee for a total of $41.00, failure to pay this amount may result in suspension of your driver’s license and additional penalties. Additionally, points will be assessed against your driver’s license.
You may make an election to attend a defensive driving course to satisfy an eligible traffic violation one time in a 12-month period, but no more than 5 times in your lifetime. If you elect to attend, but fail to satisfy the requirements, the election will still count toward the 5 allowed.
You must make your election and pay the fines and costs in the county where your ticket was issued. However, you may attend a defensive driving course approved by the State of Florida in the location of your choice.
You can reach the Traffic Division of the Jackson County Clerk’s Office at (850) 482-9699. You may contact the approved driver improvement schools directly for information on hours and costs. As per Florida Statutes, the Clerk can not recommend a driver improvement school.
For a list of these schools, you may consult the yellow pages of the telephone book or find one online at flhsmv.gov.
Affidavits
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Traffic Fines in Jackson County
| Violations | Regular Fine | School Fine |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 MPH over (school zone only) | Warning | $160.00 |
| 6-9 MPH over | $153.00 | $160.00 |
| 10-14 MPH over | $303.00 | $310.00 |
| 15-19 MPH over | $403.00 | $410.00 |
| 20-29 MPH over | $453.00 | $460.00 |
| 30+ MPH over | Mandatory court appearance | |
| Violations | Regular Fine | School Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Moving-not speed | $163.00 | $170.00 |
| Pedestrian/bicycle | $61.50 | |
| ATV violation | $108.00 | |
| Railroad crossing | $203.00 | $210.00 |
| Safety belt violation. | $113.00 | |
| Child restraint | $163.00 | $170.00 |
| Handicapped park. | $183.00 | |
| Load dropping | Mandatory court appearance | |
| Failure to stop for a school bus | $268.00 | $275.00 |
| Bicycle helmet law | $61.50 | |
| Red light violation | $261.00 | $268.00 |
| DWLS (unknowingly) | $160.00 | $167.00 |
| Violation of learner DL | $160.00 | $167.00 |
| Texting while driving | $113.00 | |
| Proof valid at time of stop (tag/DL/insurance/registration) | $10.00 dismissal fee (with proof) | |
| Vehicle defect (fixed) | $96.00 |
| Violations | Regular Fine | School Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Failed to yield to an emergency vehicle F.S. 316.126(1) |
$163.00 | $170.00 |
| Failed to move over for an emergency vehicle/wreck F.S. 316.126(1)(B)(1) |
$133.00 | $140.00 |
| Non-moving viol. (under chapter 316 of F.S.) | $113.00 | |
| Non-moving viol. (not under chapter 316 of F.S.) | $113.00 | |
| Littering from a vehicle | $110.00 | |
| Speeding in excess of 50 MPH (F.S.316.1926(2)) | $1103.00 |