Judge Ends Fine Amnesty for Donations

AP Wire | 01/05/2005 | San Jose mercury news.com/: "A judge has rescinded his offer to dismiss traffic tickets for drivers who agreed to make a $100 donation to victims of the tsunami. Municipal Judge Russell Bean had planned to offer the amnesty option for two weeks but had to end it after only one day on Tuesday amid questions about whether the program was legal. He also said it caused confusion for traffic violators whose cases were in other city courts. The tsunami donation option allowed violators to avoid a fine of up to $50 and additional court costs, typically about $78, plus any loss of driver's license points and any report to insurance companies."