If you commit a traffic violation in Michigan and end up getting a traffic ticket, how would you pay for it? Well, there are many ways to sort it out.
In this guide, journey with me as we go through how to pay a traffic ticket online in Michigan.
First, let’s compare the information we have on our ticket to the one in our driving record online.
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How to Check Your Traffic Ticket Online in Michigan?
To check your traffic ticket, you need to do a ticket or case search on the Michigan Court’s official website. Here’s how to go about it:
- First, search for “check your Michigan traffic tickets online” on your browser.
- Secondly, go to the search result “Ticket/Case Search-Michigan Courts ePAY” and click on it.
The ePAY Portal of the Michigan Courts will open.
- Thirdly, fill in the required details on the entry form displayed.
Some of the details you need to have at hand include County and Court on your traffic ticket. You can then search for your ticket by your last and ticket or case number, last name and date of birth, by license plate number, or by driver’s license number.
- Lastly, click “Search” under your option of searching.
Here, you will have all the access to the traffic ticket issued. Details are usually similar to the hard copy ticket you were handed. Therefore, do a quick counter-check and decide how you wish to tackle it.
Options Available for Tackling Your Michigan traffic ticket
There are three options for tackling a Michigan traffic ticket, namely:
- Paying a fine. When you pay for your ticket, it proves your admission of guilt and that you can fight the ticket in court once you make the payment. The result is that your car insurance rates could go higher. Note, your Michigan DMV driving record spoils and could result in a license suspension.
- Pleading for a mitigation hearing. This form of hearing is still an admission of guilt, only that this time you are asking for a discount on your fine. On multiple occasions, the outcome of a mitigation hearing is community service, a fine reduction, or a monthly payment program.
Note: Judgments made in a mitigation hearing cannot be appealed.
- Asking for a contested hearing. This hearing is important when you wish to prove yourself “not guilty.” This hearing happens in the county court indicated on your traffic ticket.
Alternative option: Hearing can be done over the phone using the Off The Record app.
Important to note: If you recognize that you’re guilty of the traffic charge on your ticket, then you can make the payment through the multiple options available.
Options for Paying Your Traffic Ticket in Michigan
Paying for a Michigan traffic ticket should be within 15 days from the day of ticket issuance. There are four options you can use to settle your traffic ticket, namely:
- In-person: You can take your payment for the ticket fine to the district court cited on your traffic ticket. Most Michigan district courts accept cash, check, or money order.
- By mail: Post payment in the form of a check, cash, or money order to the mailing address of district court on your ticket.
- Making an online payment: Michigan traffic tickets online is done through the Michigan Courts Epay portal. Learn more on how to do this in this next part.
How to Pay a Traffic Ticket Online in Michigan?
The process is straightforward. Here’s how to go about your online payment:
- Foremost, go to your browser and search “pay Michigan traffic ticket online.”
Google search results will open.
- Secondly, navigate to the search result “SOM-Ticket Payment System-State of Michigan” and click on it to open.
You will be led to the Michigan.gov official home page.
- Then, click on the “Online Ticket Payment System” link on the homepage’s first paragraph.
The Michigan Court ePAY page opens.
- Here, do the usual” Ticket/ Case search” using options available for you.
- Lastly, click “Search”(on the same page) after entering the required details and follow the hints on the site to make your payment.
Note: You may not just get fined for a traffic violation in Michigan. On other occasions, the traffic mistake could lead to the award of points on your driving record.
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These points accumulating a particular period could result in paying more fines. Worst case scenario? Your driving license is suspended for a certain period.
So what’s this pointing system?
What is Michigan’s Driving License Points System?
Michigan has a unique traffic offense pointing system. Every traffic violation attracts a particular number of points. Milder offenses attract about two points, with grave ones subject to a six-point penalty. More about Michigan’s pointing system includes:
2 Point violations
- Rejecting preliminary breath tests if under 21 years old
- Using a suspended license
- Moving violations that do attract more points
- Driving above ten mph or less of the required speed limit
- Caught Having an open container of alcohol in your vehicle
3 Point violations
- Reckless driving
- Disregarding traffic signals
- Driving 11 to 15mph beyond the speed limit
- Disregarding a railroad crossing
- Passing a stopped school bus or disregarding a crossing guard
4 point violations
- Driving more than 16 mph or more of the speed limit
- Not yielding to emergency vehicles
- Drag racing
- Driving with alcohol content in your body under 21 years of age
- Driving with a sight impairment
6 point violations
- Rejecting a chemical test
- Escaping the police
- Driving carelessly
- Driving while intoxicated
- A moving violation resulting in bodily harm
- Causing a vehicular homicide, manslaughter, or felony
So what does accumulating a particular number of points mean for you?
- 4 points over a two-year period amount to a warning call from an SOS about your driving.
- 8 points over the same period, you now get a warning letter that you are about to get a re-examination or the upholding of driving advantages.
- 12 points will now come with an instruction to retake a driver examination. Your driving record will be reviewed or knowledge of traffic safety. Other tests will include eyesight and driving assessment.
The worst-case scenario for accumulating 12 points in getting your driving license suspended, revoked, or restricted. Furthermore, your insurer will view you as more costly and charge you high insurance premiums.
Note that every time you pay a fine, you’ve pleaded guilty; therefore, a point will be added to your driving record. In Michigan, the points stay on your record for up to two years.
Be careful not to accumulate any points in Michigan, considering the heavy penalties. You can avoid accumulating points by having a traffic attorney to fight your traffic tickets.
Note: You can also waive a few points or even clear your record to get your license reinstated by engaging in a basic driver improvement course.
Conclusion
Michigan has stringent traffic regulations. Any time you are issued a traffic ticket in Michigan and have a fine attached to it, you need to pay for it earlier (you have 15 days within the date of ticket issuance). Paying online is quicker and more efficient. Above find how to pay traffic tickets online in Michigan. Afterward, all you need to do is go ahead and make your payment to avoid heftier traffic fines.