Last day of traffic amnesty could yield $1 million

By Becky Bosshart

Friday, Feb. 13, 2009 | 5:48 p.m.

It's the last day for amnesty. And today Christina Torres was set free from her outstanding traffic tickets.

The Summerlin mother of two paid about $1,900, but the Las Vegas Township Justice Court's traffic amnesty program saved her from any of the extra penalties on the two tickets that involved driving without a license.

And that's a nice burden to have off your back, Torres said. More freedom to cuddle her baby boy, Christian, while she waited in line for about two hours.

About 2,000 people lined up today — some waiting as long as two hours — to take advantage of the amnesty program, Michael Sommermeyer, Clark County courts spokesman, said.

"We anticipate there will be more than $1 million collected today," he said.

About $12 million in unpaid fines has been collected since Dec. 9, when the court started keeping track of amnesty statistics. More than 9,000 cases have been closed and 8,300 people have started payment plans.

Sommermeyer said about 30,000 people have benefited from the program since it started on Nov. 17. It was extended until Feb. 13 because of the high demand.

It's not too late. You can still pay online at www.clarkcountycourts.us/paythefine until midnight, Sommermeyer said. Payments can also be made over the phone at 671-3444.

If you don't, those tickets are going to cost you more, and possibly come with jail time.

Starting Saturday, Las Vegas Justice Court will issue arrest warrants for all unpaid traffic tickets. Fines will increase per offense, and offenders will owe an additional $200 warrant fee and a $25 administration fee. The court handles tickets issued in Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County.

By 1 p.m., Matthew Moss was at the front of the line, near screaming babies and nervous procrastinators.

"It's better than a day in jail," said Moss, a Henderson carpenter. He got through 100 pages of Artie Lange's "Too Fat to Fish" while waiting.

Those in line had excuses.

"I just didn't have the insurance with me," said Duane Spease, who recently moved to Arizona.

They joked to pass the time.

"We're standing in line for the free turkeys," said Nathan Byrd, of Las Vegas.

At the end of the line, No. 200, was Steven Maurice, a graphic artist from Las Vegas. He doesn't remember getting the speeding ticket in 2007. But he will remember this day. It'll cost him $800.

"I should've brought a sleeping bag and a portable TV and DVD player," Maurice said.

And he won't be getting a free turkey.

Becky Bosshart can be reached at 990-7748 or becky.bosshart@hbcpub.com.