Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of Elkhart County

Traffic Tickets

The Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney designed the Infraction Deferral Program for law-abiding citizens who have recently received a traffic ticket or violation. The program provides persons an opportunity to have the traffic ticket dismissed pending the completion of the deferral program. For most drivers this means paying the deferral fee and not receiving any tickets for the next 12 months. In some cases drivers will be required to participate in defensive driving, show proof of a valid driver’s license, or show proof of insurance.

Once drivers have completed their term of deferral the ticket is dismissed and the offense is not forwarded to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Thus the points are not assessed to their driving record. This allows a good driver to maintain a clean driving record and their auto insurance rates may not increase as a result of this ticket.

Program Benefits

Process

  1. Obtain, complete, and submit your paperwork with original signatures prior to your court date to:
    Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office
    Infraction Deferral Program
    301 S. Main
    Elkhart, IN 46516

    Download Forms

    *Out-of-state drivers must submit a copy of their driving record.
  2. Await our acceptance or rejection letter.
  3. If accepted, you will be required to pay your fees within 6 weeks and complete other conditions if required. At the end of your deferral your driving record will be reviewed, and if conditions are satisfied, the ticket will be dismissed and will not appear on your driving record.
  4. If rejected, you will be given a court date that you must attend or must make arrangements with the Clerk's office to pay the ticket.

* It is imperative that once on the deferral program you do not receive any additional tickets during your term of deferral. Addtional tickets or violations will result in your forfeiture of deferral fees and require you to pay your ongoing court fines and costs.

Terms of Deferral

Moving Violations

Persons who have committed moving violations can expect to pay a deferral fee of $242 and will be required to maintain a clean driving record for 12 months.

Non-Moving Violations

Persons who have committed a non-moving violation will be subject to an $82 deferral fee and will be required to maintain a clean driving record for 3 months.

In some instances drivers will be required to attend defensive driving, show proof of valid insurance, and obtain a valid driver's license.

Infraction Deferral Programs aid good drivers.