Scofflaw

Frequently asked questions

What is a Scofflaw?
Scofflaws are repeat traffic offenders owing more than $1,000 in citations. Scofflaws present a safety risk to the public; and whatever car they drive – even if it’s a friend’s—is subject to impoundment.

Aren’t Scofflaws just people who don’t pay parking tickets?
Parking tickets ARE NOT part of the Scofflaw program. The Scofflaw program focuses on delinquent traffic tickets, not parking tickets.

How many Scofflaws are there?
As of April 2008 there are over 1,400 Scofflaws at large with an average of 11 unpaid citations each. That’s a total of almost 15,000 unpaid and delinquent citations.

If you added up all the money Scofflaw’s owe, how much would that be?
Over $2 million.

How do you catch Scofflaws?
All APD officers are now equipped with a searchable Scofflaw Database. If a Scofflaw is stopped the vehicle will be impounded.

Am I a Scofflaw already and I just don’t know it?
Go check the list: Scofflaw.muni.org

So if my son is a Scofflaw and wants to borrow my car you’re saying my car can be impounded?
Yes. Scofflaws are public safety risks. Any vehicle driven by a Scofflaw will be impounded, regardless of owner.

How do Scofflaws affect me?
Scofflaws put every driver on the road at risk. They are a threat to public safety. Dangerous driving often ends in serious injury or death. Scofflaws also inflate insurance rates in the Anchorage area. That means everyone pays for Scofflaws.

I had my car impounded because I lent it to a Scofflaw. How do I get it back?
Call or contact the Municipal Attorney’s Office at 343-4575; 7th Floor of City Hall at 632 W. 6th Avenue. You are required to present proof of ownership, pay processing fees, towing and storage fees in order to redeem your vehicle, even if you are not a Scofflaw. It is the penalty for lending your car to one.

I had my car impounded because I am a Scofflaw. How do I get it back?
Contact the Municipal Attorney’s Office at 343-4575; 7th Floor of City Hall at 632 W. 6th Avenue. To redeem your vehicle you will need to present proof of ownership, pay all processing fees, towing and storage fees and all unpaid delinquent traffic fines.

If a Scofflaw rents or test drives a car, who pays to get the car out impoundment?
The owner of the car, regardless of who is the owner. This is precisely why the Municipality has published the list of Scofflaws at Scofflaw.muni.org: so the business community and all Anchorage residents will be aware of Scofflaws and refuse to put keys in the hands of dangerous drivers.