Shasta County Superior Court in conjunction with the Probation Department, offers Community Service as an alternative to payment of your fine. You may request to convert your fine in the courtroom or in the Criminal Clerk’s Office. Fines are converted at a rate of $31.00 per hour of work. Court imposed fees cannot be converted to community service and must be paid to the Court Collection’s Division. You will be referred to the Probation Department where they will determine your work assignment.

WHAT IS COLLECTIONS?

Shasta County Superior Court operates a Comprehensive Collection Program pursuant to Penal Code Section 1463.007. The mission of Collections is to assist people who cannot pay their entire fine at the time of their hearing. Collections will interview the individual and arrange an installment payment plan for the majority of traffic, misdemeanor and felony cases, court-appointed attorney fees, and some Family Law and Probate filing or investigation fees ordered to be satisfied by the Court. Shasta County Superior Court provides collection services for the following courts and counties: Shasta, Glenn, and Tehama.

WHAT IF I HAVE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP?

If you have a financial hardship and can show that you are unable to pay the full amount for your traffic ticket or other infraction violation, you may request the court to reduce your fine amount, request more time to pay, set an affordable monthly payment, or convert your fine to community service. You will be asked to provide financial documentation in support of your request. If you qualify, the court may reduce the amount you owe. Below are the three ways in which you may request an ability to pay determination:

1. Make a request online with the Ability to Pay tool found here. You may use this online request if you wish to plead guilty or no contest, and be convicted of the violations(s) on your citation. This link is not valid if you are requesting to attend traffic school or show proof of correction.


2. Appear in court to make this request (an appointment is required to appear in court.)

If your citation has been referred to court collections and you can’t afford the outstanding balance, you still have the right to ask the court to consider your financial hardship by filing a petition at https://mycitations.courts.ca.gov.

WHAT DO I DO IF I AM IN DEFAULT ON MAKING MY FINE PAYMENTS?

Payments are due on or before the date set by court collections. If you fail to make your payment on or before your due date, the full unpaid balance will become due immediately. You will be in default and a civil assessment penalty up to $100.00 may be added to your existing balance. Additionally, your Court ordered probation may be revoked, or a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

I RECEIVED A CIVIL ASSESSMENT NOTICE.

California Penal Code 1214.1 authorizes California courts to “impose a civil assessment of up to $100.00 against any defendant who fails, after notice and without good cause, to appear in court for any proceeding authorized by law or who fails to pay all or any portion of a fine ordered by the court or to pay an installment of bail as agreed to under Section 40510.5 of the Vehicle Code.”

WHAT ARE ALL THOSE FEES FOR AND WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY THEM?

The amounts set for fees, fines and assessments are not established by the Court. They are either set by the California legislature or by counties or municipalities through local ordinances. The Court simply processes the cases and collects the money, which is then distributed to various state, county and city entities.

I AM NOT GUILTY, WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY?

If your case is in Court Collections, you have failed to pay your fines and fees. Depending on the county, you may be allowed to appear before a Judge to dispute or explain any extenuating circumstances.

I RECEIVED A NOTICE REFERRING MY ACCOUNT TO THE FRANCHISE TAX BOARD. WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?

California law allows the Court to submit delinquent court-ordered debt to the Franchise Tax Board. FTB may garnish your wages or other sources of income, attach your bank account, seize and sell your real or personal property. In addition, funds owed by the State of California to defendants with delinquent accounts can be intercepted. The documentation provided to the State by the Court states the amount due and owing at that time. If you pay down or pay off an account we notify the Franchise Tax Board so the “intercepted” amount will be reduced. “Intercepted” funds include California state income tax refunds, lottery winnings, and unclaimed property.

Shasta County cases are assigned to Collection Officers alphabetically; other agencies are assigned by County. The Collection Officers have the ability to negotiate a payment schedule. Failure to contact this office about a payment problem may result in a civil judgment, a hold placed on your license, a warrant issued for your arrest, referral to the Franchise Tax Board Court Ordered Debt Collection Unit, the Franchise Tax Board Tax Intercept, or a private collection agency. You may walk-in at any time and speak with a Collection Officer about your case.

You can make a payment by personal check, cashier’s check, money order, credit card or cash. Payments are accepted at the Courthouse or via US Mail. If your debt is owed to Shasta County Superior Court.

Mail Payments to:

Please be sure to include your name and case number on your payment. Cash payments should be made in person at 1500 Court Street, Room 112, Redding, CA 96001. The Court accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

You can contact the Collections Division by mail, telephone, or email. If you contact the Collections Division by mail or email, please be sure to include your name, date of birth and any case and/or account numbers you are inquiring about. All Collection Clerks have voice mail, and you may leave a detailed message in the event they should be away from their desk. Your call will be returned as soon as possible, in the order that it was received.

(530) 245-6789
(530) 999-2004 Fax
(530) 605-2803 Other Courts Fax