Section 40220 Of Article 3. Procedure On Parking Violations From California Vehicle Code >> Division 17. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 3.
40220
. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 40221 and 40222,
the processing agency shall proceed under only one of the following
options in order to collect an unpaid parking penalty:
(a) File an itemization of unpaid parking penalties and service
fees with the department for collection with the registration of the
vehicle pursuant to Section 4760.
(b) If more than four hundred dollars ($400) in unpaid penalties
and fees have been accrued by any person or registered owner, proof
thereof may be filed with the court with the same effect as a civil
judgment. Execution may be levied and other measures may be taken for
the collection of the judgment as are authorized for the collection
of an unpaid civil judgment entered against a defendant in an action
on a debtor. The court may assess costs against a judgment debtor to
be paid upon satisfaction of the judgment. The processing agency
shall send a notice by first-class mail to the person or registered
owner indicating that a judgment shall be entered for the unpaid
penalties, fees, and costs and that, after 21 calendar days from the
date of the mailing of the notice, the judgment shall have the same
effect as an entry of judgment against a judgment debtor. The person
or registered owner shall also be notified at that time that
execution may be levied against his or her assets, liens may be
placed against his or her property, his or her wages may be
garnisheed, and other steps may be taken to satisfy the judgment. If
a judgment is rendered for the processing agency, that agency may
contract with a collection agency to collect the amount of that
judgment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the processing agency
shall pay the established first paper civil filing fee at the time an
entry of civil judgment is requested.
(c) If the registration of the vehicle has not been renewed for 60
days beyond the renewal date, and the citation has not been
collected by the department pursuant to Section 4760, file proof of
unpaid penalties and fees with the court with the same effect as a
civil judgment as provided in subdivision (b).
(d) This section does not apply to a registered owner of a vehicle
if the citation was issued prior to the registered owner taking
possession of the vehicle and the department has notified the
processing agency pursuant to Section 4764.