Following a legal settlement in Butts v. Lancaster, your rights could be impacted if you are ticketed.   

If you have been issued a public safety citation (ticket), you have rights: 

  • You have the right to appeal your public safety citation.
  • You have a right to payment waiver or reduction and a free appeal if you cannot afford to pay. If you show that you are (i) very low-income, (ii) receive public benefits, or (iii) homeless, the City must waive your ticket and fees. You can also request a waiver or payment reduction by showing financial hardship in other ways. You must submit your proof that you cannot pay within 60 days of the citation.
  • You have the option to do community service instead of paying your ticket.
  • To appeal your citation, request a fee waiver, or request community service:
  • If you received any public safety citation before February 21, 2021, you no longer have to pay it. The city must cancel the debt, remove any negative credit reporting, and stop collections related to these old citations.
  • If you are cited for camping, sitting, lying, or sleeping in public, the City must show that you had alternative housing. The City MUST document that alternative housing was available. Otherwise, it has to dismiss the citation. 
  • If you are cited for disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct, the City must show that you started or tried to start a fight, or you intentionally disturbed someone by making a loud and unreasonable noise – and your purpose was to be disruptive or there was a danger of immediate violence. Otherwise, the City has to dismiss your citation.

Resources to find an attorney and help with your citation:

Neighborhood Legal Services: (800) 433-6251 | https://nlsla.org/services/help/


This information is not legal advice. Consult with an attorney right away if you believe your rights have been violated. 

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