Collections

Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay Violations

This section provides you information when you fail to appear in court (FTA), fail to pay your fine (FTP) and how to clear a hold on your driver’s license and dealing with your case in collections.

What is a Failure to Appear?

If you sign a citation or an agreement to appear and violate your written promise to appear at court, you have failed to appear. A failure to appear may also result in your bail being increased, a $300 Civil Assessment being imposed pursuant to PC §1214.1, your case being referred to collections and a hold/suspension being placed on your driver’s license pursuant to VC §40509.5a.

No personal appearance is permitted by the Judge. You may request a Trial by Declaration, pursuant to VC §40903, by appearing at the Court’s counter.

What is a Failure to Pay?

If you don’t pay your court ordered fine by the scheduled due date, you have failed to pay. A failure to pay may also result in your fine being increased, a $300 Civil Assessment being imposed pursuant to PC §1214.1, your case being referred to collections and a hold/suspension placed on your driver’s license pursuant to VC §40509.5a.

How do I clear a hold on my driver’s license?

To clear the hold/suspension for an FTA, you may pay the bail (including Civil Assessment and state mandated fees) in full to the collection agency or you may appear at the court’s counter and file a Trial by Declaration.

To clear the hold/suspension for an FTP, you must pay the fine in full to the collection agency. Once the court has proof of payment the court will notify the DMV to release the hold on your license.

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What is a Civil Assessment?

Pursuant to Penal Code §1214.1, an additional $300 Civil Assessment fee may be added to your cases when you fail to appear and/or when you fail to pay your court ordered fine.

You may request that the Court vacate the Civil Assessment fee by filing an Application and Order to Vacate Civil Assessment upon a showing of good cause (i.e. hospitalization, incarceration, out of state military duty). Written documentation must be submitted with the Application along with posting the delinquent amount.

It is important that you provide the Court with a correct address and phone number to ensure you receive the Court’s decision on your request to Vacate the Civil Assessment. To access the application and instructions click here

What if my case is in collections?

If your case is with GC Services for collection you may contact them at:

GC Services Collection Agency
Toll Free Number: 1-800-333-8395 (English)
                         1-800-511-0734 (Spanish)

Payment Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 7835, Baldwin Park, CA 91706

Local GC Office:
2317 Tuolumne Street, Fresno CA 93721

Internet: https://courtpay.gcserv.com

If your case is with the Franchise Tax Board for collection you may contact them at:

Franchise Tax Board
Court Ordered Debt Collection Program
P. O. Box 1328
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-1328
Telephone: (916) 845-4064

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