Tucson City Court is dismissing over 5,000 citations for driving on a suspended license. City Attorney Mike Rankin said the policy, which takes effect Monday, is the result of the need to use city resources more wisely.
“When you’re talking about something like 17 percent of our overall caseload, together with savings down the road, connected with jail costs, far outweighs the fine revenue and/or diversion revenue that’s associated with these cases,” he said.
Rankin said the city needs to put more of its resources into domestic violence, DUI, crimes against people and property.
However, he said those who get cited for driving on a suspended license aren’t off the hook. He said their vehicles are impounded under state law and they can’t get the vehicle back until they can show they have a valid license.