If you have a Virginia traffic ticket that you need to pay, you may start to wonder if you can pay for the ticket online. The short answer is – yes, you can. If your ticket is eligible, it is possible to pay it online or by phone instead of going to court. Generally speaking, traffic tickets are pre-payable and can be paid online.
Can You Pay the Traffic Ticket Online?
You can pay the traffic ticket online only if the offense is pre-payable and the court accepts online payments. First, you should determine if your traffic ticket is or isn’t pre-payable. You can do this by looking at your summons and seeing which boxes are checked.
The box you are looking for is towards the center of the summons. If it is checked and the summons indicates your ticket is pre-payable, you can follow the instructions and pay your ticket without going to court. In this case, you have three options: come down to the court and pay for it, pay over the phone, or go online and pay through the online court system.
However, keep in mind that if you pre-pay the ticket, you will be found guilty. Paying the ticket is equivalent to entering a guilty plea for a traffic infraction, and points may be added to your license. Your insurance premiums may also likely increase.
If you don’t want to be found guilty, don’t hesitate to contact Keefer Law Firm via the online form on the website or by calling (540) 433-6906. We can discuss your case and see if you can fight your traffic ticket.
How to Pay for Your Traffic Ticket Online – Step-by-Step Guide
If you want to pay for your Virginia traffic ticket without going to court, you can pay it online. However, the problem is that the courts’ websites are not very intuitive, and the entire process may be rather complicated. We will simplify the process and help you understand how to pay for your traffic ticket successfully without getting a headache.
General District Court
- Visit the General District Court website. Keep in mind that the General District Court will have jurisdiction over your case most of the time. Once you are on this website, you need to click on “Accept” to agree to the terms and conditions and confirm that you have read and understood the information on the page.
- After accepting the terms and conditions, you need to find your actual case. Two databases are available on the left side of the page. Choose the local court listed on the top of your summons from the drop-down menu. Then, choose to search for your case by name, case number, hearing date, or service/process. Keep in mind that you should write what was written on your summons just the same way. So, if your name or surname were misspelled, enter your name as it is written on the summons. Once you enter your information, click on the “Search” button.
- After finding your case, a “Mark For Payment” link will be displayed if your case can be paid online. Click on this button, and then click on the “Process Payment” button at the bottom of the screen. Make sure that you didn’t mark any other cases by mistake, and continue with the process to move on to the next screen.
- The next screen will ask you to enter the payment amount. Once you have entered the correct amount, click on the “Continue Payment Process” button again. Then, you will be asked to provide your credit card information. To complete the transaction, click on the “Submit Payment” button.
- Finally, after submitting your payment, don’t forget to print out the confirmation page. That way, you will have proof that you paid for the traffic ticket if you encounter any issues down the line. If you have entered your e-mail address, the receipt will be sent to you to confirm payment. Remember that it can take up to two business days for the payment to be shown in the online records.
Virginia Circuit Court
- Visit the Virginia Circuit Court website, and accept the terms and conditions of use. This way, you are allowing the court to use your credit card information.
- The next step is to find your case. Firstly, select the right Court Level, Search Type, and Court Location. Secondly, enter your case information by either entering your name or your case number and clicking on the button “Search.”
- After finding your case, you need to check the box next to your ticket and click on the button “Pay.” Make sure only your case has been checked before clicking this button.
- The next screen will ask you to enter the payment amount and e-mail and click on the green button “Proceed to Payment Collection.” Then, you will be asked for credit card information to complete the payment. Make sure to double-check everything you entered before processing your payment.
- Finally, print out the confirmation page, as you may need this proof in case a problem occurs at some point.
Keep in mind that when you pay with a credit/debit card, you will also have to pay a 4% convenience fee.
Pre-Court Vs. Post-Court Payment
You have two options: pay for your traffic ticket before or after the hearing date. When it comes to pre-court payments, you need to pay by 3:30 pm on the last business day before your court date. If you are late, you won’t be able to complete the payment.
On the other hand, post-court payments are made after the hearing day. In this case, you can pay your traffic ticket starting at 6:00 am the day after your hearing. Make sure to pay your ticket within 40 days following the hearing date.
Final Thoughts on Paying a Traffic Ticket in Virginia
As you can see, the Virginia Court System offers a convenient online payment system. Don’t forget to check if your traffic ticket is eligible to be paid online. Also, make sure to follow the instructions provided above. Keep in mind that pre-paying your traffic ticket will be equivalent to entering a guilty plea. If you want to fight the ticket, feel free to contact our traffic ticket lawyer at Keefer Law Firm to discuss your case.
