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Traffic Tickets
If you receive a traffic violation in Berrien County, the original citation will be filed in either the Niles or St. Joseph court locations. That court location's address and phone number will be at the bottom of the ticket/citation or on the envelope provided by the police officer.
Traffic Violations are classified as either civil infractions or misdemeanors. Recipients must contact the court within 10 days of the offense to indicate a desire to pay or have a hearing. The reverse side of the citation includes space for choices of plea and hearing types. Failure to respond to or answer citations may result in additional fees being assessed, issuance of arrest warrants and suspension of driving privileges by the Secretary of State.
Traffic Fees
Amounts listed apply ONLY if plea and payment are mailed WITHIN 10 calendar days of the date of the ticket/citation. A $35.00 fee must be added to the amount shown for payments made after the 10 days. For your convenience, there is a drive-up drop box at the north side of the Courthouse. Please include the citation number on your check or money order. Checks should be made payable to the Berrien County Trial Court.
If your offense is not listed on the fines and costs sheet or you have questions, call the court at 269-982-8680.
 Pay your ticket with a credit card via the Internet or phone! Visit the Courts' Payment Options site for more information.
SPEEDING:
NON-INTERSTATE HIGHWAY |
FINE & COSTS (TOTAL) |
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1-10 MPH OVER |
$125.00 |
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11-15 MPH OVER |
$135.00 |
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16-20 MPH OVER |
$145.00 |
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21-29 MPH OVER |
$175.00 |
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30+ MPH OVER |
$215.00 |
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Tractor trucks on interstate and non-interstate highways refer to above schedule. |
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SPEEDING: I-94 or I-96 |
FINE & COSTS (TOTAL) |
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1-5 MPH OVER |
$125.00 |
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6-10 MPH OVER |
$130.00 |
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11-15 MPH OVER |
$150.00 |
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16-25 MPH OVER |
$185.00 |
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26+ MPH OVER |
$210.00 |
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If citation is issued for ANY OF THE ABOVE violations in school zone/construction zone/emergency scene, contact court for fine and costs. |
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VIOLATION BASIC SPEED LAW |
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Fail Stop Assured Clear Distance |
$150.00 |
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Violation of Basic Speed Law |
$150.00 |
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OTHER VIOLATIONS |
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Disobey Traffic Signal |
$160.00 |
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Disobey Traffic Sign |
$160.00 |
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Seat Belt Violation |
$65.00 |
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No Operators License on Person |
CALL COURT |
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Expired Operators License with Proof of Renewal |
$115.00 |
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Expired Operators License without Renewal |
$140.00 |
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Expired Plate/Registration with Proof of Renewal |
$105.00 |
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Expired Plate/Registration without Renewal |
$130.00 |
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Improper Plate/Registration |
$145.00 |
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Defective Equipment |
$125.00 |
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Defective Equipment - No Brakes or No Lights |
$125.00 |
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Careless Driving |
$180.00 |
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Fail to Yield Right of Way |
$135.00 |
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School Bus Failure to Stop |
$240.00 |
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No Proof of Insurance |
CALL COURT |
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Child Restraint |
CALL COURT |
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COURT PHONE NUMBER: 269-982-8680 |
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