Often bankruptcy is what an attorney will suggest and this is a valid route with extreme amounts of debt, but the debt removal system works EVERYWHERE a bankruptcy does. Whether one can eliminate (discharge) a government fine, penalty, or ticket in bankruptcy depends on the government's intent on issuing the fine. If the government entity imposed the fine as punishment, then one cannot wipe it out in bankruptcy. However, if the government intends the fine to compensate it for a financial loss, then one can discharge it in bankruptcy.