Beginning January 1, drivers who receive certain traffic tickets in the City of Whitehall will notice an important change: civil infraction violations will now be processed locally—not through Muskegon County.
It’s a shift designed to make the process simpler, less costly, and ultimately more beneficial for both residents and the city. Whitehall Police Chief Brandon Mahoney sat down with us to explain what the change means and why it matters.
Why the Change?
For years, drivers in Muskegon County have been used to one routine:
Get a ticket → Go to the county building to pay it.
But not every community handles tickets that way, and the longtime practice has created assumptions that aren’t necessarily accurate anymore.
Chief Mahoney said the idea for change started during a meeting of area police leaders, when Roosevelt Park’s chief shared that their department was handling civil infraction tickets locally. That sparked a deeper look: Could this approach work in Whitehall—and would it help residents?
After discussing the idea with the city manager, council members, and the mayor, the answer became clear: Yes.
“It’s a win-win,” Mahoney said. “We can reduce fines, eliminate points for certain violations, and keep the process local. That benefits the community.”
What’s Actually Changing?
1. Where You Pay
Whitehall Police Department
405 E. Colby Street
Drivers will be encouraged to pay at City Hall, which already handles utility payments and theater ticket sales. Payments can be made by cash, check, card, or phone.
2. Lower Fines for Most Violations
A typical civil infraction—such as running a stop sign—currently costs around $140.
Starting January 1, most fines issued under the new local system will be around $80.
3. No Points on Your License
Under the new system:
- No points will be added
- Nothing is reported to the Secretary of State
- Insurance companies will not be notified
For families with teens or multiple drivers, this can make a big financial difference.
4. Only Civil Infractions Are Changing
Misdemeanors and state-level violations—such as driving suspended, driving without a license, or certain no-insurance offenses—will still go through the 60th District Court in Muskegon.
Can You Still Contest a Ticket?
Yes.
Drivers may first discuss the violation with Chief Mahoney or another command officer. If they still wish to challenge it, the ticket can be reissued under state code and moved to the Muskegon court system for a hearing.
Choosing that route restores:
- Higher fines
- Points
- State reporting
Important: This Is Not a Free-for-All
Chief Mahoney stressed that this change does not give drivers unlimited chances or immunity from serious consequences.
While the system offers a gentler first step, repeat offenders will not continue receiving reduced, no-point tickets.
“If we see the same driver getting stopped multiple times in a short period, we will escalate it,” Mahoney explained.
Officers track violations internally. For example:
If a driver receives two civil infractions in two weeks for speeding, the next stop may result in a state-issued ticket rather than a local one.
That means:
- higher fines
- points
- state reporting
- potential insurance consequences
This ensures that chronic unsafe driving—speeding through Colby Street, running repeated stop signs, or ignoring bus flashers—still carries meaningful consequences.
The new system gives drivers the chance to learn from a mistake, not permission to keep making them.
Why This Matters for Whitehall
Previously, Whitehall received only one-third of each fine while Muskegon County kept the rest. Under the new local system, the city keeps the full fine amount, though Mahoney emphasized revenue was not the motivation.
“Most people make occasional mistakes,” he said. “They shouldn’t lose their license or have their insurance spike because of a first-time slip-up.”
A Focus on Education—Not Punishment
Officers take no pleasure in issuing tickets that could seriously impact a person’s life.
This new approach gives them a tool to reinforce safety without causing unnecessary long-term harm.
The department plans to roll out educational messaging throughout early 2026 to help drivers understand the new system and how to respond if they receive a ticket.
Looking Ahead
Chief Mahoney believes the shift reflects a statewide trend toward accountability paired with fairness.
“If your son or daughter gets a ticket, they still have consequences—but not points on their license or higher insurance,” he said. “If they don’t learn from it, then we escalate. But we don’t need to bring the big hammer right away.”
What Whitehall Drivers Should Remember
- New system begins January 1
- Civil infraction tickets will now be paid in Whitehall
- Most fines will drop to around $80
- No points will be added
- Repeat offenders will face stricter penalties
- Misdemeanor/state-level violations remain unchanged
Whitehall hopes this change makes traffic enforcement fairer, clearer, and less stressful—without compromising safety on the roads.
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