Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Court Provides Traffic Ticket Amnesty

Published February 3, 2019

Good Standing Policy Forgives Fines Owed Prior to January 1, 2018

AKWESASNE — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Court is notifying individuals that amnesty is being provided to drivers who received traffic tickets prior to Tsiothohrkó:wa/January 1, 2018. Traffic Ticket Amnesty is the result of Tribal Council Resolution 2018-57 that implemented the Tribe’s Good Standing Policy on January 1, 2019 following two years of community consultation.

In 2016, three community consultation sessions were held to discuss the financial impact of delinquent payments on tribal programs and services, such as unpaid traffic fines. Community feedback contributed to the development of the Good Standing Policy that was presented at three public meetings in 2017 and ensured outstanding amounts are collected in a fair and consistent manner, which included not pursuing traffic violation judgements prior to January 1, 2018.

“Any amounts owed to the Tribal Court prior to January 1, 2018 will be forgiven however, those rendered since January 1, 2018 are still owed. Anyone having difficulty paying an outstanding amount can contact the Tribal Court to develop reasonable payment arrangements,” stated Tribal Court Chief Judge Carrie Garrow.

Approximately 960 individuals who received a traffic ticket prior to January 1, 2018 will have the amount they owed forgiven. Individuals who received a traffic ticket after January 1, 2018 will receive a written notice in February 2019 about the amount that needs to be paid.

For more information, please contact Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Court at (518) 358-6300 during normal business hours.