Minnesota Citation Payment System Logs Over 1 Million Calls

ST. PAUL  (AP) - A cost-saving service that helps Minnesotans pay their traffic tickets and other citations by phone has now logged over 1 million calls.

The Minnesota Court Payment Call Center was created by the judicial branch to centralize and streamline the processing of more than 1 million citations filed annually. The system began operating in October of 2009. Court officials say it logged its 1 millionth call Nov. 22. It was a request for assistance with a credit card payment for a Washington County District Court citation.

Officials say the system gets about 11,000 calls per month. Common questions regard payment options, the amount owed, or how to contest a ticket.

Eight-five of Minnesota's 87 counties are on the system. Planning is under way to add Hennepin and Ramsey counties in 2013.

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