No, you generally cannot discharge court fines through bankruptcy. Court fines, criminal penalties, and most government-imposed debts are classified as non-dischargeable debts under federal bankruptcy law, meaning they survive your bankruptcy case and must still be paid.

What Makes Court Fines Different from Other Debts

Unlike medical bills, personal loans, or credit card debt, court fines serve a punishment function rather than compensating for financial loss. The bankruptcy code specifically protects fines, penalties, and forfeitures payable to any governmental unit from being discharged. This includes:

• Criminal court fines from sentencing orders
• Traffic tickets and traffic violations
• Parking tickets
• City code violations (like overgrown lawn penalties)
• Contempt of court fines
• Administrative penalties from governmental entities

Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13: Different Rules Apply

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, court debt remains completely untouchable. After receiving your discharge for other debts like medical bills and personal loans, you’ll still owe every dollar of your court fines. The bankruptcy court cannot eliminate these debts incurred through criminal cases or civil violations, nor can it discharge obligations such as child support.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 offers a different approach. While you still cannot discharge court fines, you can include them in your repayment plan. This allows you to pay fines over 3-5 years alongside other debts. However, any unpaid balance on court fines remains owed after completing your plan – these non-dischargeable debts don’t disappear.

Why Courts Protect These Debts

Public policy reasons drive this protection. Courts fine people as punishment and deterrent for violations. Allowing bankruptcy to clear court fines would undermine the justice system’s ability to enforce laws and maintain order. Whether dealing with a traffic ticket or criminal sentencing order, the government entity expects payment regardless of your financial situation.

What About Restitution and Other Court-Ordered Payments?

Restitution ordered in criminal cases is also non-dischargeable. Money owed to victims cannot be eliminated through bankruptcy filing. However, not all debts from court proceedings fall under this rule:

• Collection costs may be dischargeable depending on circumstances
• Certain administrative fees might qualify for discharge
• Civil judgments from non-criminal cases often can be discharged

Practical Consequences

Filing bankruptcy won’t restore your driver’s license if it was suspended for unpaid fines. Many states suspend licenses until court debt is satisfied, and bankruptcy doesn’t change this requirement. You’ll need to pay fines to lift the suspension, even after receiving a bankruptcy discharge on other debts.

Alternatives to Bankruptcy for Court Fines

Since ways bankruptcy can help with court fines are limited, consider these options:

• Payment plans directly with the court
• Community service in lieu of payment
• Hardship reductions (income-based)
• Legal aid for violation defense

When Bankruptcy Still Makes Sense

Even though you cannot discharge court fines, filing bankruptcy might still provide relief by eliminating other debts like medical bills and credit cards. This frees up income to pay court-ordered fines and penalties. Many people file bankruptcy to get a fresh start on dischargeable debts while managing their non-dischargeable court obligations separately.

Get Professional Guidance

Determining whether specific court-imposed debts can be discharged depends on complex federal and state laws. An experienced bankruptcy attorney can review your situation during a free consultation, explaining which debts qualify for discharge and whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 better serves your needs.

Remember: while bankruptcy offers powerful debt relief, court fines represent one category where the law prioritizes punishment and governmental authority over debtor relief.