What a minor offense citation actually costs
The United States has no national fine schedule for minor offenses. Disorderly conduct, open container, littering, public urination, noise and similar infractions are charged under state statutes or municipal ordinances, and the amount printed on the citation is set by the jurisdiction that issued it. Two towns in the same county can charge very different amounts for the same conduct.
Because of that, this tool does not guess at a fine. Enter the base amount from your citation, add the court costs and statutory surcharges that most courts tack on, and set the late penalty your court applies. The result shows the per-citation total and the combined amount if you received more than one.
Basis: minor offenses are governed by state penal codes and local ordinances rather than federal law, and the surcharge structure typically comes from state court administration statutes. Figures you enter should come from your own citation or your court's fee schedule as of September 2026 - amounts and surcharges are revised regularly by legislatures and city councils.
This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Paying a citation can count as an admission with collateral consequences, and contesting it may change the outcome. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Minor offenses are created by state and local law, so there is no federal schedule to look them up in. The controlling number is whatever your state statute or city ordinance sets, which is why the citation itself is the reliable source.
In most jurisdictions yes. Court costs, administrative fees and statutory surcharges are assessed separately from the fine and can approach or exceed the fine itself, which is why they are a separate field here.