Fresno Superior Court Rule 3.1.12 gives court staff limited authority to change a criminal fine schedule. A request longer than 60 days goes to a judicial officer; changing the schedule does not itself cancel the fine or alter victim restitution. Fresno County Criminal Rule 3.1.12

Check the order, balance, and due date

Start with the sentencing or payment order, case number, current balance, original due date, receipts, and any collection notice. Ask the criminal clerk about the correct request path for the case and get the revised dates in writing. Do not rely on a request alone as an extension; confirm the court accepted the change before the due date.

Under Rule 3.1.12, staff may grant one 60-day extension for the initial fine payment. Once monthly payments have been established, staff may grant one 60-day extension at that stage and one request to change the specific day of the month when payment is due. A request for more than 60 days must be made to a judicial officer, in writing or through a personal court appearance.

If the order requires one full payment on a future date, you may ask staff to convert it to monthly installments, but the request must be made before the original full-payment due date. Keep the new schedule and check that the account balance reflects the change. The rule does not say staff can waive or forgive the fine.

If the account shows an overpayment

Rule 3.1.12 says an overpayment is refunded unless you have an outstanding balance on another case that already has a disposition. In that situation, court staff may transfer the overpayment to that balance and refund any remainder. Ask for the ledger showing how the amount was applied; a transfer between case balances is not a change to a restitution order.

If you received a criminal failure-to-pay notice, Fresno’s collections page directs criminal matters to the Central Division for scheduling. That page also covers traffic collections, so do not assume traffic-only ability-to-pay forms or procedures apply to a criminal fine. Bring the notice and signed order and confirm the current route with the court. Fresno traffic and collections information

This process concerns a court-ordered criminal fine, not a lawyer’s fee plan, a traffic ticket, or victim restitution. For help understanding a criminal judgment, contact the Law Offices of David S. Chesley at (800) 755-5174.