City of Aiken Traffic Tickets
If you have received a ticket there are some important facts that you need to know. First, a ticket is a legal document specifying your alleged violation of the law; the date, time, and place of your scheduled court appearance, as well as the amount of your bond (the amount of money you are to pay the court). Second, this ticket must be resolved through a legal process. Your ignoring it won’t make it go away – and could add additional penalties because of your inaction.
Scheduling Conflicts
If you have a conflict with your scheduled court appearance, you can call 803-642-7620 and leave a message with the receptionist asking the arresting officer to contact you about possibly rescheduling your appearance. Do so at least one week prior to your court date. Rescheduling cases is solely at the discretion of the arresting officer. Some violations require a MANDATORY APPEARANCE in court, meaning you must personally appear for your court date. Check your ticket for this information.
Speeding Violations
If you are charged with a speeding violation and have not had a “moving” violation in the City of Aiken during the past three years, you may qualify for 1) a reduction of the bond amount, and/or 2) a reduction of the points associated with the speeding violation if you pay the bond amount before your schedule court appearance. Call the Records Bureau at 803-642-7695 or 803-642-7677 to determine if you qualify.
Paying the Bond
If you elect to pay the bond (known as forfeiture), you must do so before your scheduled court date. You can pay your bond online at https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Aiken/OnlinePayments/ or in person Monday – Thursday 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM at the Records window in the lobby of the Aiken Public Safety Building, 834 Beaufort Street, NE, Aiken, SC 29801, Monday through Friday. If you elect to mail your bond to the above address, it must be either a money order or check drawn on a local bank payable to The City of Aiken and it must be received before your scheduled court appearance.
Trial Options
If you elect to appear on your scheduled court date, you will have the option of pleading “guilty” or “not guilty” to a Municipal Court Judge at the Public Safety Building. If you plead “not guilty,” you will then have the option of trials – (1) a bench trial (trial before a judge) or (2) a jury trial. Bench trials will be heard and disposed of by the judge on the scheduled court date. If you would like to request a jury trial, you must do so at the time you appear before the judge. You will be notified of your next appearance date by the court.
Trials in your Absence
If you failed to appear in court, have not paid your bond, or failed to make other arrangements for the charges against you, the court will conduct a trial in your absence. If you fail to satisfy this bond within fifteen (15) days of judgment, the disposed ticket will be forwarded to the SC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and your driver’s license will be suspended. A bench warrant for your arrest as well as a warrant for “Failure to Appear” can also be drawn up and served on you.
Suspended License
If the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) suspends your driver’s license, it will not be reinstated until you (1) satisfy the disposed ticket’s bond amount as set by the judge and (2) pay the DMV reinstatement fee.