Press Release

Pay Tickets Online Program Eclipses $2 Million Mark

Pontiac, MI, October 30, 2006 – Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson announced today that more than $2 million in fines have been collected since the county's successful “Pay Tickets Online” program was launched in December 2003 in the four divisions of the 52nd District Court.

The latest figures show that a total of 19,545 tickets have been paid online, representing $2,002,920 in collected fees via computer.  The leader in online collected fees is 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills at $970,475 followed by 52-4 District Court in Troy at $388,030; 52-1 in Novi at $367,917 and 52-2 in Clarkston at $275,498.

“Giving people ticketed in the 52nd District Court jurisdiction the option of paying fines from the convenience of their own computer has not only saved them the time and trouble of coming to the court, but it has also allowed the court to reallocate personnel from counter service to other duties,” Patterson said.

During its first year in partial operation Pay Tickets, which is a feature of the county's e-Government program, took in $563,134.  The second year of the program generated $753,516 in payments.  The county hit the $1 million mark in August 2005; 21 months after the service began and reached $2 million just 10 months later.

“The positive response to the Pay Tickets program demonstrates the advantages of utilizing technology in the court system,” said Judge Julie Nicholson, who presided as Chief Judge when the program was launched three years ago. “The public and the courts are very fortunate to be able to take advantage of such a progressive system.”

The heavy public use of the Pay Tickets Online feature has generated $102,000 in access fees for the county.

“The 52nd District Courts are very proud of Pay Tickets reaching the milestone of $2 million because it represents a win-win for the courts and the public we serve,” said Judge William Bolle, Chief Judge of the 52nd District Court.

Citizens who receive tickets in any of the four divisions of the 52nd District Court may pay their fines online by visiting the Oakland County website at www.oakgov.com and clicking Online Services.

For media inquiries only, please contact Bob Dustman, Media and Communications Officer at 248-858-1048.