Traffic Department Civil Infraction Ticket Options

Admit Responsibility

Admit responsibility and pay the ticket.  You may pay in person at the Court between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:45 PM. or mail your payment to the Court at the address listed above.  Please call the Court to verify the amount owed before mailing a payment.  The Court accepts checks, cash, money orders and certified checks.  The Court accepts credit cards online through a third party.  Please see the box below for more information regarding how to pay by credit card. You can pay civil infractions online through the State of Michigan's Online Ticket Payment System without service fees.

Admit Responsibility with Explanation

Admit responsibility with explanation of the circumstances of the violation, which the Court may consider in determining the amount of your fines and costs.  The offense will not be dismissed or reduced and any licensing points imposed by the Secretary of State will not be reduced or modified in any way.

Request a Civil Infraction Conference

Request a conference with a representative from the Police Department for the purpose of reaching a plea agreement.  The officer who issued your ticket will not be subpoenaed to appear.  At the conference, you and a police representative will have the opportunity to discuss plea options.  If you are unable to reach a plea agreement for any reason, you will still have the opportunity to deny responsibility for the charge and proceed to either an informal or formal hearing.  Please note that if you decide to request a hearing, it  would be on a subsequent date, not on the same day as your Civil Infraction Conference. To request a Civil Infraction Conference online, submit an Online Hearing Request.

Deny Responsibility and Request an Informal Hearing

Deny responsibility for the offense and request an Informal Hearing in front of a Magistrate.  The officer who issued your ticket will be subpoenaed for the hearing.  Both you and the police officer will be required to present the facts of your case to the Magistrate.  The Magistrate will then make a determination as to your responsibility for the offense based on the evidence presented.  Neither party may have an attorney present for an informal hearing.  Please call the Court if you would like to request an Informal Hearing.

Deny Responsibility and Request a Formal Hearing

Deny responsibility for the offense and request a Formal Hearing in front of a Judge.  The officer who issued your ticket will be subpoenaed for the hearing and will be represented by the prosecuting attorney.  You may also have an attorney present.  Both parties will be required to present the facts of the case to the Judge.  The Judge will then make a determination as to your responsibility for the offense based on the evidence presented.  Please call the Court if you would like to request a Formal Hearing.

Request an Adjournment of a Court Date

Requests for Adjournments are discouraged, but will be considered for good cause.  No adjournments will be granted less than seven days before the scheduled court date unless there are verifiable emergency circumstances.  If you would like to ask for an adjournment, please contact the Traffic Department at (248) 674-4655.

***WARNING: If you fail to pay, appear or request a hearing by the date specified on your citation, a default judgment will be entered against you.  A person who fails to answer a citation is guilty of a misdemeanor.***

For questions regarding points, waivable tickets and other questions, please go to our Frequently Asked Questions page.