His views are echoed by some who believe the California traffic court system is profiting from low-income residents.
"California has sadly become a pay-to-play court system," said Michael Herald, a legislative advocate for the Western Center on Law and Poverty, who contributed to a report claiming that Californians are being trapped in a cycle of debt, and are losing their driver’s licenses for failing to pay for costly traffic tickets and court penalties.
The Brown administration has discussed the issue with members of the U.S. Dept of Justice, according to spokesperson Evan Westrup. However, he did not elaborate on the talks, and it is not clear if an investigation has been launched into California’s traffic court system.
According to the AP, traffic fines are on the rise. 20 years ago, the fee for running a red light was $103. Today, it can reach $490. Add-on fees are funding projects from court construction to emergency medical air transportation in the midst of state budget cuts. Meanwhile, fines can climb to $800 for missing a court date or failing to pay fees.
"Everyone is entitled to their day in court and that includes the poor," said Christine Sun, associate director of ACLU of Northern California.
Since 2006, California has suspended 4.8 million driver's licenses after motorists failed to pay or appear in court, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Only about 83,000 of those licenses were reinstated.
Michael Armas, 31, of Oakland, has had his licensed revoke for failing to pay several citations including driving while using a phone and driving with an improperly displayed license plate. He said he has been unable to find a construction job without his license for the past year and a half. He said his tickets amount to $4,500 in debt."How do you expect to pay something when you have no job, and you can't get a job without your license?" Armas said.
